Planned raids by Barking and Dagenham Council’s Trading Standards team has resulted in a large haul of counterfeit goods, illicit cigarettes and vapes being confiscated.
The two-day operation took place on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 November with support from trained sniffer dogs saw 14 premises visited.
Officers found over £15,000 of illegal goods in eight of the local businesses and included:
- 60 clipper lighters
- 634 oversized vapes
- 5kg of counterfeit Golden Virgina hand-rolling tobacco
- 6,240 illicit cigarettes
These eight businesses now face further investigation and possible prosecution.
The maximum penalty for supplying counterfeit goods is an unlimited fine and 10 years imprisonment.
Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “We will keep working hard to stamp out the selling of illegal products in the borough. They’re often linked to organised crime and we simply won’t stand for it.
“I’m pleased to hear that these businesses will now face further investigation.”
If residents are aware of businesses selling illegal products, they can report them to the council by calling the Citizens Advice Consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or emailing tradingstandards@lbbd.gov.uk.