A shop owner has been ordered to pay £3,275 and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work for selling counterfeit cigarettes and alcohol without a licence. 

During a routine inspection by the council's Trading Standards officers on Thursday 8 June 2017, Mr Jahangir Chowdhury, 51, from A1 Cash and Carry, 185 Broad Street, Dagenham RM10 9JD was found to have 600 counterfeit, smuggled cigarettes, 13 pouches of tobacco, and 43 other tobacco products. The tobacco products did not display correct health warnings and were not in standard packaging. 

In addition, the shop was found to be selling alcoholic drinks, with 40% alcoholic content, without a licence. 

Council officers carried out a second inspection on Tuesday 31 October 2017 and discovered a further 140 counterfeit cigarettes, 4 pouches of tobacco, and other tobacco products hidden in the shop.

On Friday 8 March 2019, Barkingside Magistrates Court found Mr Chowdhury guilty and ordered him to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £3,275 costs to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. 

"We will continue to take action to protect the health of our residents by enforcing against rogue traders that put profits above the safety of others.”

Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: “This shop was selling alcohol without a licence, and counterfeit cigarettes which can seriously harm peoples’ health and make a lethal habit more affordable. 

“Residents should be aware that the sale of cheap, illegal tobacco and alcohol can fund organised criminal gangs and damage legitimate traders, and we will continue to take action to protect the health of our residents by enforcing against rogue traders that put profits above the safety of others.”