The Trading Standards Team at Barking and Dagenham Council take a zero-tolerance approach to the supply of illegal tobacco and recently took a local business to court after it was caught three times selling the illicit products.

On three separate occasions, Euor Minni Market Ltd operating as Buy 2 Save of 17 Ripple Road, Barking was found in possession of illegal cigarettes and tobacco due to be sold to the public.

Trading Standards officers raided the premises with sniffer dogs in March, September and December 2022 and seized a total of 7,280 units.

As a result, the council took Euor Minni Market Ltd and Director Mr Christian Sorin Covit to court on Tuesday 18 April. Mr Covit pleaded guilty at Barkingside Magistrates Court and was ordered to pay a fine of £2,200, costs to Barking and Dagenham Council of £1,252 and a Victim Surcharge of £220.

Euor Minni Market Ltd was fined £500 and had to pay a Victim Surcharge of £50.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “The sale of illegal cigarettes and tobacco is often linked to organised crime, so it is important that we put a stop to it where we can.

“As well as this, these cigarettes often don’t follow UK regulations, which means they could put residents at greater risk of harm.”

If a resident is aware of a shop selling illegal products, they should report it to tradingstandards@lbbd.gov.uk.