Title: Dagenham Shop Fined £5,000 for Illegal Tobacco Sales
An East London off-licence, Ottoman Food & Wine, located on Reede Road in Dagenham, recently faced a hefty fine of over £5,000 for engaging in the sale of counterfeit tobacco products. The establishment was caught red-handed by a routine inspection conducted by the Barking and Dagenham Council on December 6, 2023, after specialist tobacco detection dogs detected the scent of illicit goods.
Infringement Uncovered
During the inspection, authorities discovered that Ottoman Food & Wine had been selling 1,880 illegal cigarettes from well-known brands such as Benson & Hedges, Kent, Dunhill, Sobranie, and Marlboro. Prior to the raid, a test purchase had been made to confirm the illegal activities occurring within the premises.
Legal Consequences
Following the discovery, MM & GS Food Ltd, trading as Ottoman Food & Wine, along with its director Gokhan Sonmez, were brought before Barkingside Magistrates Court on Tuesday, December 3, where they were slapped with a fine amounting to £5,272. The company, MM & GS Food Ltd, was individually fined £732 and ordered to cover additional costs of £1,611.45, with a victim surcharge of £88 being added. Gokhan Sonmez, the director, was also personally fined the same costs.
Council’s Response
Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, expressed the council’s unwavering commitment to eradicating the sale of illegal tobacco within the borough. He highlighted the dangers posed to public health and the blatant disregard for consumer protection regulations by such activities. Residents were urged to report any shops suspected of selling illegal goods to the council via tradingstandards@lbbd.gov.uk.
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As a former resident of Dagenham myself, I can attest to the importance of ensuring that local businesses comply with regulations to protect the well-being of the community. It’s disheartening to see establishments resort to selling counterfeit goods, putting the health of residents at risk. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to safeguard public health and uphold consumer rights. Let’s all do our part in supporting the authorities to maintain a safe and lawful environment for everyone.
