Two shop workers have been sentenced following a successful prosecution by Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards, after illegal tobacco products were sold from a Loughborough shop.
This is the fifth successful prosecution under Operation Hind, launched to tackle the growing problem of counterfeit tobacco and non‑compliant vaping products being sold in local shops across the county.
Khalid Aziz Faraj, of Rose Street, Redheugh, Gateshead, and Kawa Abdulla, of Barrow Street, Loughborough, appeared at Loughborough Magistrates Court on Friday 29 May, where they pleaded guilty to offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994, the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, and the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015.
Each defendant was fined £333, reduced from £500 to reflect their early guilty pleas, and ordered to pay a £133 victim surcharge and £160 in prosecution costs, bringing the total to £626 each. The court ordered that the fines be paid at a rate of £100 per month, with the first payment due within 28 days.
The case related to The Rushes Store Limited, trading as Loughborough International, at 50a The Rushes, Loughborough, and followed an investigation by Trading Standards officers. Between 8 and 23 January 2026, officers carried out a series of test purchases at the premises, during which counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes were sold.
Faraj sold, or was involved in the sale of, five packets of cigarettes on 8 and 16 January. Abdulla sold nine packets on 13, 16 and 23 January, including seven packets of counterfeit cigarettes and two packets of smuggled, non-UK duty paid cigarettes intended for sale in Nigeria.
Both men were arrested by police on 23 January and taken into custody, where they were later interviewed under caution by Trading Standards officers.
In sentencing, magistrates acknowledged the evidence presented by Trading Standards, but determined that both men had played a limited role, stating that there was no significant sophistication or planning involved and that they had been operating under the supervision of an employer.
Passing sentence, they said they had assessed the offences themselves, rather than the individuals’ roles alone, when deciding on the penalties imposed.
The investigation into The Rushes Store Limited and its director remains ongoing.
This case demonstrates our continued commitment to tackling the sale of illegal tobacco in our communities. Counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes undermine legitimate businesses, evade vital tax revenue and can pose unknown risks to consumers.
The sentences imposed reflect the fact that those prosecuted in this case were operating at the customer-facing end of the supply chain. However, it remains appropriate to pursue proceedings against anyone who persistently engages in this criminal activity, regardless of their level of involvement. Enquiries are ongoing into those responsible for directing the supply chain.
Person:Gary Connors, head of regulatory services
Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards is encouraging residents to report any concerns about the sale of illegal tobacco as part of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and support law-abiding businesses. They can be reported anonymously through Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Operation Hind is a county‑wide enforcement initiative led by Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards, working in partnership with Leicestershire Police, to crack down on the sale of illegal vapes, counterfeit cigarettes and illicit tobacco products.
It was launched to tackle the growing problem of counterfeit tobacco and non‑compliant vaping products being sold in local shops, many of which pose serious health risks, with previous tests identifying dangerous substances such as arsenic, lead and formaldehyde in illegal vapes.
The initiative focuses on prevention through advice and warnings, intelligence‑led inspections, test purchasing, joint enforcement visits and prosecution of both business owners and shop workers involved in the illegal trade.