A shop owner was fined more than £4,000 after he was caught selling knock-off tobacco products.
Ziad Hassan-Pasha, 35, of Victoria Road, Wembley, admitted to peddling cigarettes and vaping products that did not have the required warnings on them. He stored hundreds of the dodgy e-liquids, vape kits and cigarettes at his shop, Al-Pasha, in High Road, Wembley.
After a Trading Standards investigation, he was ordered to pay a £250 fine per offence, in addition to costs and a victim surcharge – totalling £4,366.
Cllr Tom Miller, responsible for stronger communities at Brent Council, said this punishment highlights the authority’s attitude towards those trying to make money inappropriately. He said: “Shops that sell tobacco products without the proper health warnings are putting the public at potential risk and this is simply unacceptable.
“This conviction shows just how serious we are about coming down hard on those found to be selling illegal cigarettes and tobacco products in Brent.
“Our message to traders is simple: it’s your responsibility to make sure that your products are compliant and have the proper health warnings, or we will take formal action if you disregard the law.”
He urged members of the public to support the council’s enforcement teams if they suspect people are selling illegal tobacco products.
They can report them to Trading Standards via the Citizens’ Advice Consumer Service on 03454 050506.
