A surprise inspection carried out by trading standards officials at a shop in Ruislip revealed the presence of illegal tobacco products being sold. Aman Singh and his company, Devi Enterprises, trading as am2pm at 38 High Street, admitted to nine offences at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court.
The illicit tobacco products, including cigarettes and rolling tobacco without the required safety packaging and oversized vapes, were found to be intended for a market outside the UK, with no UK duty tax paid on them. The inspection, conducted by Hillingdon Council officers in December 2022, was aided by a trained tobacco detection dog, which led to the discovery of a car outside the shop loaded with illegal products.
This was not the first time that illegal goods were found at the store. During a previous visit in September 2022, officers had seized and destroyed 44 illegal vapes. As a result of the recent raid, Singh and his company were ordered to pay a total of £4,339.94, which included a fine, victim surcharge, and prosecution costs for violating tobacco and trademark laws.
Cllr Eddie Lavery, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, condemned Singh’s actions, stating that it was clear he was prioritising profits over the safety of residents by selling illicit goods. The council urged members of the public to report any businesses selling illegal products by emailing tradingstandards@hillingdon.gov.uk.
The discovery of illegal tobacco products being sold at the Ruislip store highlights the importance of enforcing regulations to protect consumers from potentially harmful goods. It also serves as a warning to other businesses that engaging in such illegal activities will not go unnoticed and will result in severe consequences.
Illegal tobacco products pose serious health risks to consumers, as they may not meet the necessary safety standards and could contain harmful substances. By cracking down on businesses selling these products, authorities are taking a proactive step in safeguarding public health and upholding the law.
It is essential for consumers to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities or products being sold in their local area to ensure that regulations are being followed and that their safety is not compromised. By working together with authorities, we can create a safer environment for everyone and prevent the circulation of illegal goods in our communities.
