The seventh and eighth prosecutions in a countywide crackdown on illegal tobacco products have been secured by Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards.
Kinga Piotrowska and Mahdy Hussein Fatah, who both worked at International Supermarket at 52 Sparrow Hill, Loughborough, separately pleaded guilty to offences relating to the sale of counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes and tobacco from the premises.
They both appeared before Leicester Magistrates' Court on Friday 18 September. Piotrowska pleaded guilty to nine offences relating to the sale and possession for sale of counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes and tobacco between March and June 2026.
She was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order and ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work for the benefit of the community, as well as paying a £114 victim surcharge and £86 towards prosecution costs.
Fatah pleaded guilty to four offences relating to the sale of illegal tobacco products from the same shop. He was fined £80, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £32, and £86 towards prosecution costs.
The offences were uncovered as part of Operation Hind, Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards' ongoing work to tackle the illegal tobacco trade across the county.
The court heard that Trading Standards officers carried out five test purchases at International Supermarket between 3 March and 17 June this year. During the visits, officers were sold packets of cigarettes, a vape product and packets of rolling tobacco by either Piotrowska or Fatah.
On 17 June, Trading Standards officers, supported by Leicestershire Police, searched the shop premises.
Although no illicit tobacco products were found at the store, a simultaneous police search of Piotrowska's home in Loughborough uncovered 2,070 packets of cigarettes and 155 packets of rolling tobacco from the front room.
The products were tested and found to be counterfeit and in breach of tobacco regulations, making them illegal for sale.
In mitigation, the court heard that Piotrowska had worked part-time at the shop for four to five years and had agreed to store boxes at her home, believing the shop had limited storage space.
She told the court that she did not inspect the boxes and was unaware of their contents. Piotrowska also said she had no responsibility for ordering cigarettes or tobacco products and denied any involvement in trademark or counterfeiting offences.
Fatah said he did not know the cigarettes sold were illegal. He said the shop was routinely restocked overnight when he was not present and that he was not involved in ordering or sourcing tobacco products. He also stated that he had been instructed by one of the company's directors to sell certain tobacco products to customers who attended the shop with a specific number, which he understood had been arranged in advance by the business.
These latest two prosecutions demonstrate our commitment to Operation Hind and its continued success in disrupting the illegal tobacco trade across Leicestershire.
The sale of counterfeit and smuggled tobacco undermines legitimate businesses, and the illicit tobacco trade remains a significant concern.
That’s why we are committed to protecting consumers and supporting honest retailers by taking robust enforcement action against those who break the law.
Operation Hind has successfully seen Trading Standards, police and partner agencies work together to identify those involved in this criminal activity and bring them before the courts.
This result sends a clear message that we will continue to investigate, prosecute and remove illicit tobacco products from circulation wherever we find them.
Person:Gary Connors, head of regulatory services
Residents who suspect illegal tobacco or vape sales can report their concerns anonymously through the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.