Court sentences two for illicit tobacco operation in Hayes

Sonu, 29-years-old, and Tajinder, 31-years-old, of York Avenue, Hayes, pleaded guilty to 18 offences related to the possession of illicit tobacco products with the intention to sell them on Tuesday 26 July 2022. The sentencing took place on Monday 28 October at Isleworth Crown Court. 

Sonu received a 12-month community order with a requirement to undertake 600 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay £5,039 in costs and a victim surcharge.  

Tajinder received a 12-month community order with a requirement to undertake 140 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay £5,000 in costs and a victim surcharge. 

The council's trading standard officers, as part of 'Operation CeCe', a nationwide trading standards operation to target the supply of illicit tobacco products, conducted a search of a self-storage facility on Nestles Avenue in Hayes in March 2021. With the help of tobacco detection dogs, they uncovered £126,000 worth of illegal tobacco, including more than 225,000 cigarettes and 54kg of rolling tobacco. Further inspection of the tobacco revealed that some of the products were counterfeit, while others were intended for markets outside the UK. 

Under section 80 of the Proceeds of Crime Act, both were served confiscation orders to recover funds made from their illegal activities. Tajinder was ordered on 31 January 2024 to repay £1,605.95, while Sonu was ordered to repay £125,000 on 12 September 2024.  

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Community and Environment, said: "We're committed to keeping Hillingdon a safe borough where communities can thrive, and this is another excellent result for our trading standards team who work tirelessly to protect residents from harm.  

"Many of the products seized in this case were smuggled into the UK without paying tax, which should be going towards vital services across the country, while the counterfeit goods pose serious health risks." 

For more information or to report a business you suspect is selling illegal products, email tradingstandards@hillingdon.gov.uk.  

For other consumer-related issues, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.