Luton trader fined more than £5,400 for selling illicit tobacco

Hemen Haji Kadri Salihi, aged 46, of Holays, Huddersfield, trading as Henar Mini Market in Wellington Street, appeared at Luton Magistrates’ Court on 21 September 2026 for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to selling illicit tobacco products and foreign-labelled medicines between March and September 2023.

Mr Salihi was arrested for non-attendance at court.

He was fined £1,547 and ordered to pay a £615 victim surcharge and £3,265 in costs, bringing the total amount to be paid to £5,417.

Councillor Rumi Chowdhury, Portfolio Holder for Trading Standards, said: “What we are seeing is an increase in what are termed ‘fake shops’. These are set up by organised criminal gangs for the sole purpose of selling illicit products, typically tobacco products. They often display European flags and/or language to which the criminals have no connection. They will often have minimum quantities of other stock in an attempt to disguise their true nature.

“Yet again, Luton’s Trading Standards team have successfully tackled businesses that flout the law and sell illegal and dangerous products which could severely harm the health of our residents. The health impacts of tobacco are well known and those around vapes are beginning to be understood. We’re determined to keep our town a safe place for everyone by tackling illegal products.”

Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, said: “The illicit tobacco trade is driven by organised criminal gangs and poses serious risks to local communities, especially young people. Since its launch in January 2021, Operation CeCe – a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC – has removed 102 million illegal cigarettes, 20,550kg of hand-rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, helping to clamp down on this illicit trade and protect communities and honest businesses across the UK.”

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.