A shop director and his company have been ordered to pay more than £11,700 after pleading guilty to offences involving the possession and supply of illicit tobacco, alcohol and unauthorised medicines at premises in Barking and Dagenham.

Bogdan Vasile BOTA, director of Maramureseanul Ltd, which operates from 608 Longbridge Road, Dagenham and 448 Becontree Avenue, pleaded guilty to a number of offences uncovered by Barking and Dagenham Council's Trading Standards team.

During an inspection on 28 May 2024 at the rear storeroom of 608 Longbridge Road, officers discovered 1,500 illicit tobacco sticks, 166 bottles of illicit alcohol and 85 unauthorised medicines. The products were found to be in breach of tobacco product and packaging regulations, as well as consumer protection legislation.

A further inspection at 448 Becontree Avenue on 25 July 2024 uncovered 4,340 illicit tobacco sticks. Officers returned to the premises on 15 August 2024 and seized an additional 21 bottles of illicit alcohol.

Following the prosecution, Mr Bota was fined £1,540, while Maramureseanul Ltd was fined £3,284. The court also ordered the defendants to pay a victim surcharge of £1,929 and prosecution costs of £5,000, bringing the total financial order to £11,753. 

Payments were ordered over 12 months at £1,000 per month, with the first payment due on 20 October 2026.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: "The sale of illicit tobacco, alcohol and unauthorised medicines is a serious offence that puts consumers at risk and creates unfair competition for legitimate businesses.

"This prosecution demonstrates that we will take robust action against those who choose to break the law. Our Trading Standards team will continue to investigate reports, remove illegal products from sale and help keep residents safe."