04/12/2025 - Luton shopkeeper sentenced over counterfeit clothing and tobacco stash
A Luton trader has been prosecuted for possessing for sale counterfeit clothing and non-duty paid cigarettes.
The court heard that, despite the Trading Standards team visiting and seizing items at the premises on previous occasions, in March 2022 officers again found clothing and tobacco products.
This time they were stored in Mr Raja’s car, which was parked at the premises. Clothing and some of the tobacco products were confirmed to be counterfeit.
Mr Raja was fined £2,500 with £4,000 costs and a £1,000 victim surcharge. In addition, Luton Council sought confiscation of money made through criminal activities under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The court ordered confiscation of £18,070.55, making the total Mr Raja has to pay as £25,570.55.
Councillor Maria Lovell, Portfolio Holder for Trading Standards, said: “Our Trading Standards officers are continuing to clamp down on those who sell illicit vapes, cigarettes and tobacco, plus other illegal items, in order to keep our streets safe from retailers who are caught flouting the law.
“As this case shows, we are also prepared to use Proceeds of Crime legislation to deprive those who make money from crime of the benefit of their activity.”