Luton Borough Council

30/10/2025 - Luton Trading Standards continues crackdown on illegal cigarettes and vapes

It has been a busy couple of months for Luton Trading Standards who continue to clamp down on those who sell illicit vapes, cigarettes and tobacco.

A number of cases came to court throughout October and September, following a series of successful enforcement operations. Prosecutions include:

Mini Luton Grocery

Owner Nashwan Hwshyar, 23, of Summerfield Road, Luton, was prosecuted for selling illegal cigarettes at his premises in New Bedford Road, Luton.

He had denied 13 offences relating to trademark breaches, packaging regulations and safety, but was found guilty on 10 of the charges following a two-day trial.

Luton Magistrates’ Court heard that sales of illegal cigarettes had taken place at Mini Luton Grocery on 12 occasions between November 2023 and July 2024.

Mr Hwyshar claimed the premises had changed hands and provided a purported sub-lease three days before the trial. However, evidence from Trading Standards showed he was at the premises during a visit at a time he claimed the business wasn’t his, and that he even admitted being charge to officers.

Mr Hwyshar was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 180 hours unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation days, and ordered to pay costs of £3,500 and a £114 victim surcharge.

Vapex

Ashok Deb, 24, of Biscot Road, Luton, appeared at Luton Magistrates’ Court in relation to the sale of a vape to a 15-year-old test purchaser in January 2025 at Vapex in Bury Park Road, Luton.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £100 costs and a £48 victim surcharge.

Henar Mini Market

Ahmed Mahmoodi Ahmad, 38, of Charlwood Road, Luton, pleaded guilty to six charges of selling counterfeit and non-duty paid cigarettes at Henar Mini Market in Wellington Street, Luton.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order and 150 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay total costs of £1,513.26 and a £114 victim surcharge.

Sadiya Store Limited

Muklesur Rahman, 46, of Fitzwarin Close, Luton, appeared before magistrates in relation to charges of selling counterfeit and non-duty paid cigarettes at his shop Sadiya Store Limited in Leagrave Road, Luton.

The court heard sales of tobacco products took place on nine occasions between November 2023 and September 2024.

For the company, Mr Rahman pleaded guilty to all charges. He was ordered to pay a £9,000 fine and £1,991.50 costs.

A-Z Flavourz

T&MM Limited, trading as A-Z Flavourz, along with the director, Minhaz Miah, 22, and his brother, Musaddiq Miah, 23, both of Leagrave Road, Luton, appeared before the courts for the second time.

They had previously been subject to almost £40,000 in fines and costs in November 2024.

On this latest occasion, T&MM Limited was fined £16,000 with a victim surcharge of £6,400. The Miah brothers each received a 12-month community order for 200 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation days, with costs of £2,035.25 and a £114 victim surcharge.

One Stop Shop

Mehboob Ahmed, 72, of Douglas Road, Luton, trading as One Stop Shop in Farley Hill, Luton, pleaded guilty to eight offences of selling counterfeit and non-duty paid cigarettes.

He was fined £1,076 with costs of £2,292.60 and a victim surcharge of £430.

European Market

European Market Luton Limited, trading as New Town Stores in New Town Street, Luton, was sentenced along with the director, Reben Shika, 35, of Hilltop Court, Downs Road, Luton.

Mr Shika was given a 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay costs of £889.70 and a victim surcharge of £114. The company was fined £2,000 with costs of £1,000 and a victim surcharge of £800.

Doina

Following a contested hearing, magistrates made an order under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act that Doina, in Wellington Street, Luton, close for three months for repeatedly breaching the law.

Councillor Maria Lovell, Portfolio Holder for Trading Standards, said: “Yet again our diligent Trading Standards team have successfully tackled business who flout the law and sell illegal and dangerous products which could severely harm the health of our residents.

“The health impacts of tobacco are well known and those around vapes are beginning to be understood. We’re determined to keep our town a safe place for everyone by tackling illegal products.”

Anyone with information on premises and individuals selling and storing illicit cigarettes, tobacco, shisha and vape pens in Luton either from a shop, online or from a domestic premises or vehicle can report it in confidence.