Luton Borough Council

05/03/2026 - Two Luton shops closed and trader prosecuted for selling illegal tobacco

Luton Trading Standards are continuing to crack down on the sale of illicit vapes, cigarettes and tobacco from ‘fake shops’ across the town.

On 27 January 2026, Luton Magistrates’ Court issued a three-month closure order on Grab and Go, 41 Mill Street, following persistent sales of illegal cigarettes. The court heard that Grab and Go opened shortly after a previous closure order was served on Mini Luton Grocery, a linked premises operating from the corner of Mill Street and New Bedford Road. Officers discovered the same individual was responsible for both shops and that the offending had simply moved premises.

Decebals, 120 Dallow Road, Luton, was also issued a three-month closure order on the same day due to continued sales of illicit tobacco products.

On 18 February 2026, Faisal Fazal Abdullah (aged 40), of Ferndale Road, Luton, sole trader of Moldova on Manchester Street, was sentenced at Luton Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to four counts of selling counterfeit and illicit cigarettes from his premises. He received a 12-month community order, including 100 hours of unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation activity. He was also ordered to pay £519 in fines, a £114 victim surcharge and £1,200 in costs, totalling £1,833.

Luton Trading Standards, supported by Luton Council’s Public Health Team and Bedfordshire Police, will continue to take firm action against premises and individuals that repeatedly break the law.

Councillor Maria Lovell, Portfolio Holder for Trading Standards, said: “We are seeing an increase in what are termed ‘fake shops’, often set up by organised criminal gangs to sell illegal and dangerous products. They frequently display European flags and or/language, to which the criminals have no connection, and carry minimal legitimate stock to disguise their true purpose.

“This successful enforcement action demonstrates the diligence of our Trading Standards team in protecting residents’ health against those who put our communities at risk.”

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 about premises or individuals selling or storing illicit cigarettes, tobacco, shisha or vapes in Luton can report it in confidence via the Keep It Out website, or by contacting Citizens Advice online or by calling 0808 223 1133.