Customs seize fake champagne and condoms in East End
FAKE champagne and packs of condoms have been seized by trading standards and customs officers in London’s East End. They grabbed 11 bottles of bubbly and 46 packs condoms, along with 24 bottles of vodka in a crackdown on dodgy off-licences
FAKE champagne and packs of condoms have been seized by trading standards and customs officers in London’s East End.
Officers confiscated 11 bottles of champagne and 46 packs condoms, along with 24 bottles of vodka, in their crackdown on dodgy off-licences.
A joint operation by police, HM Revenue & Customs and Tower Hamlets Council’s trading standards targeted stores selling counterfeit or smuggled brands and those operating in breach of their licence.
They swooped on premises across the East End over three days where the counterfeit goods and quantities of smuggled wine and spirits were uncovered.
Police Ins Brian Mitchell said: “This operation targeted licensed businesses dealing in smuggled alcohol and counterfeit goods. We are monitoring their premises and taking action where necessary.”
It follows a similar operation in November which lead to police looking into the licences of four premises.
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Tower Hamlets Council is now staging regular patrols to stamp out illegal trading and promised: “We won’t tolerate those who flout the law for their own gain.”
Premises identified in the crackdown are being revisited in the near future and may face further action including prosecution and review of their licence if caught again.
