A hair salon owner in Luton, Bedfordshire, has been fined over £25,000 after he was caught selling illegal cigarettes and counterfeit clothing.
Hamid Raja of RK Hair Salon, Leagrave Road, appeared at Luton Crown Court on 26 November.
Raja persisted in his criminal activities despite Trading Standards officers seizing illegal goods from his premises on multiple occasions, the court heard.
In March 2022 officers discovered more items stored in his car. Clothing and some of the tobacco products were confirmed to be counterfeit, said Luton Council.
Raja was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay £4,000 in costs, as well as a £1,000 victim surcharge.
Luton Council also recovered £18,070.55 from money he had made through criminal activity. In total, Raja must pay £25,570.55.
Councillor Maria Lovell of Luton Council said: “Our Trading Standards officers are continuing to clamp down on those who sell illicit vapes, cigarettes and tobacco, plus other illegal items, in order to keep our streets safe from retailers who are caught flouting the law.
“As this case shows, we are also prepared to use Proceeds of Crime legislation to deprive those who make money from crime of the benefit of their activity.”
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