A London shopkeeper has been fined £2,300, after he was convicted of selling wines and spirits with fake labels on the bottles.
Thirulogachandran Nesan managed two Londis stores in Plumstead, southeast London.
On 11 September at Woolwich Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to offences involving smuggling goods onto his premises – and selling alcohol with fake labels on the bottles to make it appear as though UK duty had been paid.
The Royal Borough of Woolwich Trading Standards team found a total of 25 bottles of spirits on the shopfloor shelves involving five different brands – as well as a further 76 bottles in the stockroom.
A second visit by the Royal Borough's Trading Standards team and the police led to the seizure of 57 bottles of Italian wine.
The court ordered that the alcohol involved should be forfeited – and fined Nesan £2,300, as well as ordering him to pay a surcharge of £120.
After the hearing, the council's cabinet member for Community Safety and Environment, Councillor Jackie Smith, said:
“Selling illegal alcohol not only damages legitimate businesses – but potentially puts lives at risk, as well.
“Anyone who has information about traders selling suspicious alcohol – or businesses who feel they may have been visited by an illegal supplier – are urged to contact the Royal Borough's Trading Standards team on 020 8921 8223.”
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