A Woolwich vape and tobacco stall has been shut down after selling illegal products.
Following resident complaints, the council and police visited a concession stall sublet from New Hair London on Thomas Street, SE18 and found the illegal tobacco and vapes. During the visit, 101 packets of cigarettes, seven packets of hand rolling tobacco and 14 vapes were seized.
After examining these products, the cigarettes were confirmed as counterfeit and the vapes did not have the correct safety warnings, making them illegal to sell in the UK.
On 1 July, Mr Aran Mohammadi, who was working at the stall at the time of the visit, and Mr Behnam Ghaderzadh, who Mr Mohammadi claimed he was watching the stall for, both pleaded guilty at Bexley Magistrates Court for possessing and selling illegal products.
After stating that they were both of limited means, the pair were ordered to pay costs and fines of £2,103. The business closed shortly after the visit.
Councillor Joshua Ayodele, Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Integrated Enforcement, said: “This is another great result for our Trading Standards and Integrated Enforcement police teams. We listen to residents and act swiftly when we receive complaints about suspicious activity. Our regular visits are ensuring unsafe and illegal products are kept off our streets and businesses are held accountable, in this instance, being forced to close.”
If you suspect the sale of illegal goods in the borough, contact the council by calling 020 8921 8157 or email tradingstandards@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.
If you want to provide information anonymously visit the London Trading Standard's website.