Large Haul of Illegal Erectile Dysfunction Pills Seized
Trading Standards and police officers raid 14 premises across the borough
Police officers with the contraband seized. Picture: Met Police
October 13, 2026
Fourteen shops across the borough of Hounslow have been raided in a major Trading Standards operation that uncovered thousands of illicit products including illegal vapes and erectile dysfunction medication.
The results of the raids, which took place last month, have now been shared with the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) by the Council. On September 1, the authority’s Trading Standards officers carried out coordinated visits across alongside the Metropolitan Police. Illicit or counterfeit product were found in 10 premises. This 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
Also found was flavoured Sildenafil Kamagra Oral Jelly. Kamagra is a medication for erectile dysfunction that’s made in India, and is sold online illegally as it’s not approved for sale in the EU or the UK.
Kamagra is claimed to work in a similar way to Viagra as it contains the same principal ingredient. There are health risks associated with using it as there is not enough information on its side effects or precisely what it contains to guarantee its safe use.
This was not the only illegal erectile dysfunction medication found. Sildamax Sidenafil tablets, also produced in India, were found in shops.
The police also seized a number of controlled substances during the operation and made several arrests. Investigations into the findings are ongoing.
Trading Standards say illegal and unregulated tobacco and vape products can pose serious risks to consumers, as they may fail to meet safety standards or contain unknown ingredients. The council says these products tend to be produced in unhygienic conditions and sold at much lower prices than regulated versions.
The supply of illegal tobacco is often linked to organised crime including drugs, people trafficking and illegal immigration, they added.
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 who have concerns about the sale of illicit tobacco, illegal vapes, counterfeit goods or other unsafe products are encouraged to report them via email to tradingstandards@hounslow.gov.uk or anonymously via Citizens Advice.
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