TWO brothers involved in an illicit tobacco operation in Hayes were prosecuted by Hillingdon Council following an trading standards operation. 

Sonu, 29, and Tajinder, 31, of York Avenue, Hayes, admitted 18 offences and were sentenced on October 28 at Isleworth Crown Court. 

Sonu received a 12-month community order with a requirement to undertake 600 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay £5,039 in costs and a victim surcharge.  

Tajinder received a 12-month community order with a requirement to undertake 140 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £5,000 in costs and a victim surcharge. 

Trading standard officers, working as part of Operation CeCe, a nationwide operation to target the supply of illicit tobacco, conducted a search of a self-storage unit in Nestles Avenue in March 2021.

With the help of tobacco detection dogs, they uncovered £126,000 worth of illegal tobacco, including more than 225,000 cigarettes and 54kg of rolling tobacco.

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, both men were served confiscation orders to recover funds made from their illegal activities.

Tajinder was ordered in January this year to repay £1,605.95, while Sonu was ordered to repay £125,000 in September.  

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Cabinet Member for Community and Environment, said: “Many of the products seized were smuggled into the UK without paying tax, which should be going towards vital services across the country, while counterfeit goods pose serious health risks.” 

To report a business you suspect of selling illegal products, email tradingstandards@hillingdon.gov.uk