Talib Ali Ahmed, 48, was given a suspended jail sentence after admitting to 16 charges related to the supply of illegal tobacco, vapes and shisha from Baytee Halal Supermarket on Uxbridge Road in Shepherds Bush.
The offences took place in 2023 and 2024.
The prosecution was brought by Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
At Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, December 18, Mr Ahmed, of Sewall Highway in Coventry, was given two ten-week suspended sentences under the Trade Marks Act, along with 14 four-week suspended sentences for violating tobacco and related products regulations.
All sentences will run concurrently, totalling 76 weeks suspended for one year.
The court heard the former director of Baytee Halal Shop Ltd supplied cigarettes and shisha without correct health warnings, counterfeit cigarette packaging and vapes containing more e-liquid than legally permitted.
Councillor Rebecca Harvey, Hammersmith and Fulham’s cabinet member for social inclusion and community safety, said: “Trading in illicit tobacco harms honest businesses, strengthens organised crime groups and steals from the public purse.
“Please let us know about suppliers of illicit tobacco products.
“You will never be identified to the business and can rest assured that our Trading Standards team will act on the information.
“Cheap, illegal tobacco is a particular scourge on society, affecting the health of less affluent people disproportionately.
“It enables people to smoke more and hinders attempts to quit.
“I am pleased our Trading Standards colleagues continue to take action to target suppliers.”
Judge Sam Goozee took into account Mr Ahmed’s guilty plea and previously clean record but noted that he continued selling the products even after being made aware of the investigation.
He said the illegal tobacco sales posed a risk to public health and damaged legitimate businesses.
Doug Love, senior officer for Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s trading standards team, said: “Traders who sell illegal tobacco know what they are doing, and when Trading Standards has sufficient evidence, we will have no hesitation in prosecuting.”
Mr Ahmed was also ordered to pay £5,950 in costs and a £154 surcharge.
