Loughborough shop owner prosecuted over illegal vape sales

A shop owner in Loughborough has been prosecuted for selling illegal vapes.

Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards says it is the fourth 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.

The latest investigation was launched following persistent illegal sales of vapes, cigarettes and tobacco from Gold Town, a shop based at 17 Swan Street in Loughborough.

Shop operator Hassan Sadaghat was given a 12-month community order with a requirement to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, disqualified from directorship of any company for three years and ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge after pleading guilty to 11 offences involving the sale of illegal nicotine products and counterfeit tobacco when he appeared at Leicester Magistrates Court on Thursday 2 April.

The company, Gold Town Loughborough Ltd, was fined £5,000, ordered to pay a £5,000 contribution to prosecution costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

The court heard that Trading Standards officers first visited the shop on 15 April 2025, when they seized 14 illegal e‑cigarettes, seven packets of illegal cigarettes and 59 packets of herbal tobacco. Sadaghat was given a warning and provided with advice about age‑restricted sales. 

Officers returned on 23 July and found further illicit goods believed to contain THC, the psychoactive substance found in cannabis. A further warning and advice visit followed on 19 September.

Between 23 October and 4 December, Trading Standards conducted five undercover test purchases, during which officers were sold cigarettes and rolling tobacco, which was found to be either counterfeit or illegal for sale on the UK market.

Following the final test purchase on 4 December 2025, Trading Standards officers and Leicestershire Police carried out an enforcement visit to the premises. Officers discovered a hidden storage compartment above the toilet door containing illegal cigarettes and rolling tobacco. Sadaghat also had a small black bag with six packets of cigarettes. In total, officers seized more than 150 illegal tobacco products, none of which carried the correct UK packaging or health warnings.

Speaking after the sentencing, Gary Connors, head of regulatory services at Leicestershire County Council, said: “This case demonstrates a blatant and repeated disregard for the law, even after multiple warnings and clear advice from our officers. The sheer volume of illegal and counterfeit products found shows exactly why prosecutions like this are so necessary.

“Operation Hind continues to deliver strong results across Leicestershire, disrupting the sale of unsafe and illicit vapes and tobacco and protecting both consumers and honest businesses. We will not hesitate to take firm action against those who persist in putting the public at risk.”

Residents who suspect illegal tobacco or vape sales can report their concerns 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

It aims to disrupt the supply chain, protect consumers, and support legitimate retailers, and has already secured multiple successful prosecutions. 

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