Romford Mini Market Shut Down After £8,000 Illegal Tobacco Haul Seized in Police Raid.

3rd August 20263rd August 2026 Francesca Lilleystone 0 Comments Business, Havering, Mini Market, Police, Raid, Romford min read

A Romford business has been ordered to close for three months after Havering Council’s trading standards officers and police seized more than £8,000 worth of illegal cigarettes and rolling tobacco during a major enforcement raid earlier this week.

The unannounced morning operation took place on Tuesday 28 July at RM Mini Market in Fairview Parade, Mawney Road, Romford. The raid involved Havering Council’s trading standards and enforcement teams, the Havering Joint Taskforce, Romford Town Centre police officers and specialist sniffer dogs.

The operation followed weeks of investigation as part of Operation CeCe. During the search, officers discovered a large quantity of illegal cigarettes and rolling tobacco with a street value of more than £8,000.

To prevent the business from continuing to sell the illegal products, which authorities say pose a significant health risk to the public, Havering Council and the Metropolitan Police attended Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 29 July.

They successfully secured a three-month Closure Order, meaning the business will remain closed until and including 28 October while further investigations continue.

Councillor Terry Brown, Havering’s Cabinet Member for Public Protection, who attended the raid, said:

“This has been another example of great work by our trading standards team and the police working together to crack down on this crime and help keep our borough safe.

“The stash of cigarettes and rolling tobacco which were not only illegal but posed a huge health risk to our residents, have now been taken off our streets.

“I hope this serves as a warning to other businesses or individuals who think it is ok to sell these illegal products in Havering, it is not.

“We will not tolerate anyone or any business storing and selling dangerous illegal goods in Havering and will continue to crack down on those committing these crimes.

“This raid is part of our ongoing efforts to tackle the sale of illegal and non-compliant products and protect our residents and our legitimate businesses across the borough.”

Inspector Charlie Routley, of Havering Safer Neighbourhood Police, said:

“This Closure Order sends a clear message that we will not tolerate businesses operating outside the law and causing harm to our communities.

“This was an intelligence-led operation carried out in partnership with Havering’s trading standards, targeting the sale of illicit tobacco and other criminality linked to these premises.

“Residents consistently tell us they want action taken against businesses involved in illegal activity, and this action demonstrates that we are listening.

“By working closely with our partners, we’ve not only removed illegal products from circulation but also disrupted criminality and prevented these premises from continuing to operate.

“This should serve as a warning to anyone involved in the sale of illicit tobacco, counterfeit goods or other criminality in Havering.

“If you choose to profit from crime, you should expect a visit from the police and our enforcement partners.

“We will continue to use every power available to protect our communities, support legitimate businesses and make Havering a hostile place for organised crime.”