Leicestershire County Council’s Trading Standards team, working in partnership with Leicestershire Police, has secured a second successful prosecution under Operation Hind, the county-wide initiative targeting the sale of illegal cigarettes and vapes.
Operation Hind was launched to tackle the growing problem of counterfeit tobacco and vaping products being sold in local shops. These products pose serious health risks, with previous tests revealing dangerous substances such as arsenic, lead, and formaldehyde in illegal vapes.
The latest case saw Aryas Salehi, a shop assistant at Go Vape in Church Gate, Loughborough, sentenced after selling two packs of counterfeit Richmond cigarettes to an undercover Trading Standards officer during a test purchase on 28 March 2025.
Salehi appeared at Leicester Magistrates Court on Wednesday 26 November, where he pleaded guilty to three charges relating to the sale of illicit tobacco. He was ordered to carry out 54 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months, pay a victim surcharge of £115, and contribute £200 towards prosecution costs.
The court heard that Salehi retrieved the cigarettes from a store room rather than the display behind the counter. The tobacco was confirmed to be counterfeit and in breach of the Trade Marks Act 1994, the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, and the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015.
Following further investigations, the shop was ordered to close until 23 July 2025 under a Closure Order granted at Leicester Magistrates Court on 7 May.
This is a growing issue in the county and across the country, and this shows that we’re taking action to tackle a real problem in our local towns.
Our brilliant Trading Standards team, working with Leicestershire Police, know how these sellers operate and the methods they use to conceal their crimes. We’ll carry on doing what we can to rid our streets of illegal vapes and cigarettes.
Person:Councillor Virge Richichi, cabinet member for regulatory services
Gary Connors, head of regulatory services, added: ““Operation Hind is proving to be a real success. With two strong prosecutions now secured, we’re sending a clear message that illegal tobacco and vape sales will not be tolerated in Leicestershire.
“These results show the effectiveness of our partnership with Leicestershire Police and demonstrate that our enforcement approach is working. We will continue to pursue those who put public health and the local economy at risk.”
Residents who suspect a business is selling illegal cigarettes or vapes are urged to report it to our Trading Standards team.