A shop in Barking that was found with over 3,000 illegal cigarettes has been ordered to pay over £1,000 by a judge.

During a raid on the shop Miorita of 382 Ripple Road, Barking Trading Standards Officers from Barking and Dagenham Council and a trained sniffer dog found 3,160 illegal cigarettes on the premises.

Following prior investigations by officers, it was discovered that these illicit cigarettes, which don’t follow UK regulations, were being sold to the public.

The owner of the shop (MIORITA LTD and Director Marian COSERU) was taken to court on Tuesday 18 April and pleaded guilty for the possession and supplying illicit and cheap cigarettes.

The judge at Barkingside Magistrates Court ordered (MIORITA LTD) to pay a fine of £1,000, costs to Barking and Dagenham Council of £500 and a Victim Surcharge of £150.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “Residents safety is our top priority and if these illegal cigarettes don’t follow UK regulations which means they may not advertise the correct warnings on packaging, could include harmful ingredients and money raised used for organised crime.”

“This business has been caught red handed and now must pay the price. I hope they have learned their lesson, if not we will take action again.”

The council will continue to crack down on this issue and if residents are aware of a business selling products illegally, they should report them to the council by emailing tradingstandards@lbbd.gov.uk.