Luton Borough Council

08/07/2025 - Luton shop owner fined for selling counterfeit cigarettes and prescription medicines

Following an investigation by Luton Trading Standards, a Luton business has been prosecuted for selling illegal cigarettes, non-compliant vapes and foreign-labelled medicines including a number of prescription-only medicines.

Ionela Dragoi, who is aged 39 of Willow Way, Luton, and the Director of ME Supplies Limited, trading as La Doi Pasi, Upper George Street, Luton, appeared at Luton Magistrates on 4 July 2025. The court heard that in March 2024, a seizure of cigarettes, vapes and foreign-labelled medicines took place. A further seizure took place in July 2024. In addition, sales of counterfeit and non-duty paid cigarettes were made between April 2024 and January 2025, including several after Ms Dragoi was interviewed under caution.

Ms Dragoi pleaded guilty to the charges and was fined £1,625, alongside a £650 victim surcharge and prosecution costs of £2,520, totalling £4,795. The company was fined £12,000 with a £2,000 victim surcharge, meaning a total fine of £16,795.

Luton Trading Standards is continuing to clamp down on those who sell illicit vapes, cigarettes and tobacco.

Councillor Maria Lovell, Portfolio Holder for Trading Standards, said: “We’re determined to keep our town a safe place for everyone, and our diligent Trading Standards team will investigate and where possible, take action against retailers who are caught flouting the law and selling any kind of illegal tobacco products that could severely harm the health of our residents.”

Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, said: “The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law. Having removed 46 million illegal cigarettes, 12,600kg of hand rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, Operation CeCe, the National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC, continues to successfully disrupt this illicit trade.”

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.