Officers visited Ottoman Food & Wine on Reede Road, Dagenham on 6 December 2023 where they seized 1,880 illicit tobacco products.
Brands such as Benson & Hedges, Kent, Dunhill, Sobranie and Marlboro were found during the inspection.
As the visit was part of Operation CeCe, a test purchasing took place beforehand, and they used specialist tobacco detection dogs to find the tobacco.
The business MM & GS Food Ltd (trading as Ottoman Food & Wine) and the director Gokhan Sonmez were summoned to Barkingside Magistrates Court on Tuesday 3 December where they were found guilty. Sentencing was:
MM & GS Food Ltd T/A Ottoman Food & Wine:
Fine: £732
Costs: £1,611.45
Victim Surcharge: £88
Total: £2,636.45
Gokhan Sonmez
Fine: £732
Costs: £1,611.45
Victim Surcharge: £88
Total: £2,636.45
Overall total: £5,272.90 payable within six months with a Collection Order issued.
Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “We are committed to putting a stop to the selling of illegal tobacco in the borough.
These activities jeopardise public health and flout regulations meant to protect consumers.”
If residents are aware of shops selling products illegally, they can report them to the council by emailing tradingstandards@lbbd.gov.uk.