Illegal erectile dysfunction medicines were among thousands of illicit products uncovered during a Trading Standards operation targeting 14 shops in Hounslow.
Officers found illicit or counterfeit goods at 10 premises during coordinated visits with the Metropolitan Police on 1 September. Hounslow Council has now shared the findings with the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
The products seized included:
- 1,019 packets of illicit cigarettes, equivalent to more than 20,000 individual cigarettes
- 440 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco
- 813 packets of oral tobacco products
- 445 vapes
- 492 packets and sachets of medicines
- 27 pouches of shisha tobacco
Among the medicines were flavoured Kamagra Oral Jelly and Sildamax tablets, marketed for erectile dysfunction. The council identified these as illegal products.
Police also seized controlled substances and made several arrests. Investigations remain ongoing.
Trading Standards warned that illegal and unregulated tobacco and vape products can pose serious risks to consumers because they may
fail to meet safety standards or contain unknown ingredients.
The council said such products can be manufactured in unhygienic conditions and sold at prices significantly below those of regulated alternatives. It also warned that the illegal tobacco trade is often linked to wider organised crime.
Councillor Amy Croft, cabinet member for infrastructure, enforcement and recycling, said: “The sale of illicit tobacco, unregulated vapes, counterfeit products and unsafe medicines puts consumers at risk and undermines the many responsible businesses that operate within the law. Residents have a right to expect that the products being sold in our communities are safe and legitimate.
“My message to rogue traders is clear: we will continue to pursue and disrupt this activity wherever we find it.”
Residents concerned about illicit tobacco, illegal vapes, counterfeit goods or other unsafe products can email tradingstandards@hounslow.gov.uk or report their concerns anonymously through Citizens Advice.
