Latest Trading Standards ActionsSelling illegal skin lighteners costs trader £40,000
December 2008
Janson Limited of East Dulwich, and its Directors Riyaz and Alimohamed Janmohamed, were fined a total of £25,000 and ordered to pay costs of £15,228 for supplying skin lighteners containing the banned ingredient hydroquinone.
During a two day trial Tower Bridge Magistrates Court heard how Trading Standards Officers, assisted by the East Dulwich Safer Neighbourhoods Team, had raided the company's warehouse in September 2007. This followed complaints from other trading standards authorities that the company was supplying retailers with banned products.
A search resulted in the seizure of some 1800 products labelled as containing the dangerous bleaching agent hydroquinone. Analysis of samples showed around 570 of them actually contained the ingredient. Hydroquinone has been prohibited from use in cosmetic skin lighteners since 2001.
A subsequent investigation showed some of the batch numbers of the seized goods matched batch numbers of products seized from Peckham retailers earlier in 2007 - retailers already successfully prosecuted by the council. Company invoice records confirmed these retailers were customers of Janson’s.
All three defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges but the court held the goods were in the company's possession for the purposes of supply and there was no effective system in place to check goods being supplied were legal. The company said it has now introduced safeguards to avoid further offences.
Test purchasing of produce yields 100% compliance
November 2008
25 test purchases of produce sold by weight over retail scales were carried out and checked for accuracy and pricing. All 25 were correct showing a great improvement from July when a similar exercise showed that 51 out of 53 were incorrect or not priced properly. The purchases were made in Rye Lane and East Street following many inspections and advice visits.
Short selling, overcharging and failure to display a price per kilogram (so that consumers can compare prices) is a serious issue, particularly for those on low incomes.
Fake goods seized from 15 shops
November 2008
Inspections at 28 retailers were carried out using a portable device that detects counterfeit cigarettes. Although no counterfeit cigarettes were found further checks on Duracell batteries, Durex condoms and Glens Vodka resulted in the seizure of over 600 items.
East Street trader cautioned for selling fake footwear
November 2008
A market trader caught selling various counterfeit branded shoes was cautioned for offences under the Trade Marks Act. In July 2008 71 pairs of shoes were seized from a stall in East Street Market with the assistance of Faraday Safer Neighbourhood Officers. The trader concerned forfeited over £1500 worth of stock bearing Nike, Adidas, Evusu, Bathing Ape and Gucci trade marks.
Firework retailer checks carried out
October / November 2008
72 enforcement visits were carried out in connection with the sale of fireworks. Just 34 traders registered to store fireworks over the bonfire night period compared to 41 last year. Trading Standards inspected storage facilities to ensure these explosive products were being stored safely and securely.
Checks were also made at premises who had not registered to ensure no fireworks were being sold. 12 attempted test purchases were also conducted to detect the illegal sale of fireworks to under 18s. Only one trader sold and follow up action is now being taken.
Rogue trader patrols welcomed by traders and homeowners
October / November 2008
Three rogue trader patrols were held in partnership with East Dulwich and Village Safer Neighbourhood Teams. Trading Standards and Police Officers questioned trades professionals seen carrying out roofing, driveway and other home maintenance work in order to identify any cold calling incidents. Cold calling is a tactic commonly used by rogue traders and doorstep selling regulations must be complied with. Fortunately all traders questioned were found to be legitimate and gave a positive response to the initiative. Consumers spoken to were invited to nominate any traders they were satisfied with to join our Builders Award Scheme.
Arrests secured at suspected scam letting agent and online ticket agents
October / November 2008
Four individuals were arrested by Walworth CID officers at a letting agent in SE16 for suspected fraud offences. The arrests were made following the obtaining of a warrant by Trading Standards who had received complaints about false advertising and failure to return deposits. Two people were bailed to reappear pending further Police inquiries.
In a separate operation by SOCA (Serious Organised Crime Agency) five individuals were arrested in connection with two SE1 based ticket agencies. These followed a trading standards investigation into complaints about the non-delivery of tickets being offered for sale on the internet.
Three market traders lose their stalls for selling counterfeit goods
October 2008
Three traders at the Elephant & Castle shopping centre outside market were ejected from the market following joint action by Trading Standards and markets management. All traders had been previously warned that anyone selling fakes would have their trading agreement terminated. Trading Standards found that the three were dealing in fake designer wear clothing, bags and accessories and over 350 items were seized. Legal action against the three traders is now being considered.
Underage knife sales lowest in London
October 2008
Forty-four attempted test purchases of knives were carried out by volunteers under the age of 18. The work was carried out by Trading Standards as part of Operation Blunt 2 - a London Wide Home Office sponsored campaign to Tackle Knife crime and reduce the incidence of carrying knives. Only two sales were made giving a 95% compliance rate. The traders that sold are now being investigated.
Southwark has carried out the most knife test purchases in London and has achieved the highest compliance rates so far. Southwark also contributed to the organisation and strategic planning of the Operation.
Three roofers arrested for doorstep trading offences
September 2008
Three men who 'cold called' an 80 year old East Dulwich resident and carried out roofing works were arrested following a rapid response action by Trading Standards Officers. A concerned neighbour called the team after she had turned away Southern Building Contractors (of Dartford) but then saw them start work down the road.
Peckham Police Officers made the arrests after Trading Standards established that the traders had started work without complying with doorstep selling regulations. The resident was just about to visit her bank to withdraw £400 cash for payment but due to the intervention no money was lost. The men were later released without charge pending further enquiries.
In another incident three other men from were arrested by Robbery Squad Officers. They had allegedly damaged a garden wall at a house belonging to a 93 year old in Dulwich before saying it was breaking up and offering to repair it for cash.
First confiscation order granted against pirate DVD retailer
August 2008
A trader convicted of dealing in pirate DVDs has been stripped of the £30,000 benefit from his criminal activity. Trading Standards used powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act for the first time against Mr Sergio Luis Ostolaza-Espadin who traded at 206 Old Kent Road. He was found in possession of 3000 pirate DVDs in July 2006. The confiscation order was granted at the Inner London Crown Court
Earlier this year he was convicted for offences under the Trade Marks Act and Video Recordings Act and was given a suspended prison sentence of 18 months, ordered to do 200 hours community service and pay costs of £6,500. Following the sentencing trading standards was able to launch a case to claim back assets gained through the illegal activity.
The Proceeds of Crime Act came provides accredited officers powers to pursue criminals through the courts and effectively remove any assets gained from criminal activity. Rules dictate that £10,000 will go to the Council and the remainder will go to HM Treasury and the magistrates’ court. Trading Standards aims to make greater use of these powers in all cases where the person convicted has benefited through their criminal activity.
Two traders fined for selling illegal skin lighteners
July 2008
There were two separate prosecution results this month.
Mr Arshad Mahmood, a Director of Sabina Hair and Cosmetics (Peckham) Limited at 68-70 Rye Lane, pleaded guilty to offences relating to the supply of banned skin lightening products. The charges concerned products containing the banned bleaching ingredient hydroquinone and other steroid based skin creams so potent that they should only have been available on prescription.
Tower Bridge Magistrates heard that in May 2007 Southwark Trading Standards had twice conducted undercover test purchases of the most potent products and found others on open sale during a follow up inspection. A total of 445 products were seized. The business had been previously warned not to deal in such products.
The case was brought in partnership with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Mr Mahmood and the company were fined a total of £8,000 and ordered to pay £9,365 prosecution costs.
Secondly Mr Abdul Koroma, owner of Jaffa Hair & Beauty at 170 Rye Lane, pleaded guilty to similar offences relating to the supply of banned skin lightening products.
Camberwell Green Magistrates Court heard that in May 2007 Southwark Trading Standards had conducted undercover test purchases of the most potent products whilst others were found on open sale during a follow up inspection. A total of 957 products were seized.
The case was brought in partnership with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Mr Koroma was fined a total of £2,560 and ordered to pay £1,000 towards prosecution costs.
eBay trader fined for selling fake razor blade cartridges
June 2008
Mr Samir Mousli, a Nurse caught selling fake Gillette Mach 3 Turbo razor cartridges on eBay was fined a total of £400 and ordered to pay costs of £400 by Camberwell Green Magistrates. Mr Mousli had pleaded guilty to two offences under Trade Mark laws.
The court heard how undercover Procter and Gamble Brand Protection Officers had been offered hundreds of the fake cartridges when they responded to an eBay advertisement placed by Mr Mousli in March 2007. They alerted Southwark Trading Standards and, with the assistance of the Peckham Safer Neighbourhood Team, Mr Mousli's home address was raided. 650 items were seized and the court ordered them to be destroyed.
Analysis of the fake blades revealed they posed a potential health and safety hazard as they had been manufactured in a dirty non-sterile environment and the blades were not securely fixed to the cartridge housing.
Filling stations face action over petrol sales to children
May 2008
Six out of 19 petrol stations sold petrol to children under 16 in an undercover test purchasing exercise. Arson and the illegal use of mini-motos is still a problem in some parts of the borough and the Council's Arson Reduction Officer requested checks be carried out to see how easy it was for youngsters to obtain fuel.
In a three day joint operation Petroleum Officers from London Fire Brigade and Southwark Trading Standards visited all the boroughs petrol filling stations with underage volunteers. The 13 and 15 year olds received special safety training for the exercise and attempted to fill portable containers at pumps nearest the kiosk. All the sites had received advanced warning that tests would be conducted. Despite this, six still allowed the youngsters to obtain fuel.
It is a breach of petroleum licence conditions to supply petrol to anyone under the age of 16. The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority is now considering prosecuting the licencees of the sites that sold.
Selling illegal skin lighteners costs trader £1,750
April 2008
Mrs Bosede Adeniyi, owner of the Victory Food Store at 82-84 Peckham High Street, was convicted of five offences relating to the supply of banned cosmetic skin lightening products. The Inner London Crown Court heard how products containing the harmful ingredients hydroquinone and mercury had been found on sale during an inspection carried out by Southwark Trading Standards Officers in December 2005. Mrs Adeniyi had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing but sentencing was delayed due to legal reasons. She was fined a total of £1,250 and ordered to pay £500 towards prosecution costs.
4000 counterfeit designer wear items seized from Rye Lane
March 2008
A raid by Southwark Trading Standards and Officers from The Lane SNT resulted in over 4000 counterfeit clothing and accessories items being seized from a retailer in Rye Lane. The haul, estimated to have a street value in the region of £100,000, consisted of over 30 different designer name fakes including Gucci, Chanel, Prada, and Armani. Dealing in fakes carries a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment and unlimited fines under Trade Marks legislation. An investigation into the offences is now underway.
Stallholders cautioned for weights and measures breaches
March 2008
Two East Street stall holders accepted Cautions in respect of breaches of weights and measures legislation that require certain produce to be sold by weight. When fruit and vegetables are being sold only certain 'countable' types may be sold by number, for example oranges - 20p each of five for £1. Most other loose produce must to be sold by weight and customers should see a price per kilogram or weight markings. The requirements exist to promote fair competition between traders and to enable consumers to make price and value comparisons easily. Southark Trading Standards undertakes covert test purchasing exercises to ensure traders comply with the requirements.
Licence suspensions for underage alcohol sales
January and March 2008
Two businesses had their licences temporarily suspended after they were caught selling alcohol to kids in test purchasing exercises organised by Trading Standards and Licensing Police.
Costcutters, 1 East Dulwich Road, SE22 licence was suspended for eight weeks
Biggies Off Licence, 46 Peckham Rye licence was suspended for three months.
Selling unlabelled BB guns costs trader £2,300
January 2008
A retailer who was selling BB guns and a crossbow without adequate safety warnings and instructions was prosecuted under product safety laws.
Mr Bhuphinder Singh Chawla of the Camberwell Indoor Market at 44 Peckham Road, SE5 was fined £800 for four items and ordered to pay costs of £1,500. The premises have since closed down and the general sale of realistic imitation guns has now been banned.
Trader who made pirate DVDs given suspended sentence
January 2008
A manufacturer and distributor of counterfeit DVDs operating out of a retail unit at 206 Old Kent Road was sentenced to nine months imprisonment suspended for 18 months. Sergio Luis Ostolaza-Espadin also received 200 hours community service and was ordered to pay full costs of £6,500. The court also ordered a confiscation hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act in order to consider whether any assets from criminal activity should be seized.
Trader pleads guilty to selling banned skin lighteners
January 2008
Mr Mohammed Mushtaq, the director of Peckham Cosmetics Ltd, pleaded guilty to charges relating to the supply of banned cosmetic skin lightening products from the company's shop at 79-81 Rye Lane.
The charges concerned products containing the banned ingredient hydroquinone and other steroid based skin creams so potent that they should only have been available on prescription.
Further charges related to the supply of counterfeit 'Sta-Sof-Fro' hair dyes. Sentencing will take place at a later date in the Crown Court. The court also ordered a confiscation hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act in order to consider whether any assets from criminal activity should be seized.
Contact us
Southwark Trading Standards service
Tel: 020 7525 2000
Fax: 020 7525 5705
tradingstandards@southwark.gov.uk
The Chaplin Centre
Thurlow Street
London
SE17 2DG |