A home Office-led operation has resulted in a shop in Dagenham losing its licence after multiple contraventions were uncovered. 

On 20 May 2024, immigration officers discovered two individuals working illegally at Maramureseanu on Longbridge Road, Barking. Officers also saw various licensing and trading standards breaches which were reported to Barking and Dagenham council.

A further visit was made to the shop from the council’s Trading Standards and Licensing Teams on 28 May where several, serious contraventions were found including:

• Boxes of imported Amoxicillin, an antibiotic, found on the premises.
• Bottles of alcohol without UK duty tax stamps.
• 1,500 units of illicit tobacco seized, comprising mixed brands.
• No staff were able to operate the CCTV system
• No training logs were found to prove staff were trained to sell alcohol

As a result of the above, a Licensing Hearing took place on Monday 20 January 2025 and following further evidence provided by the council.

The evidence included information on previous breaches from the shop including sales of illicit tobacco to an undercover officer in 2021. 

After reviewing the evidence, the Licensing Sub-Committee concluded that revoking the licence was a necessary and proportionate response to the circumstances.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: "The decision to revoke the licence of Maramureseanu is a clear message that working with partners, we will not tolerate illegal activities and breaches of licensing laws in our community. 

“The severity of the contraventions uncovered posed significant risks to public safety and undermined the integrity of our local businesses. I hope this outcome serves as a strong warning to other businesses.”