An East London offy has been fined over £5,000 for flogging dodgy tobacco. Ottoman Food & Wine on Reede Road, Dagenham, was caught red handed selling 1,880 illegal Benson & Hedges, Kent, Dunhill, Sobranie, and Marlboro cigarettes.
A routine Barking and Dagenham Council inspection uncovered the counterfeit goods after specialist tobacco detection dogs caught the scent, on December 6 2023. A test buy had undergone beforehand.
The business MM & GS Food Ltd (trading as Ottoman Food & Wine) and the director Gokhan Sonmez were hit with a £5,272 fine at Barkingside Magistrates Court on Tuesday, December 3 last year. MM & GS Food Ltd T/A Ottoman Food & Wine was fined £732 and ordered to pay costs of £1,611.45.
A victim surcharge was also added of £88. Boss Gokhan Sonmez was personally fined the same costs. 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 illegal goods, they can report them to the council at tradingstandards@lbbd.gov.uk.
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