Shop and flat shut down after thousands of illegal cigarettes seized

A Stockton shop and neighbouring flat have been shut down after thousands of illicit and counterfeit cigarettes were seized.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council secured a maximum three-month closure order of The Europe Mini Market Shop, on Hartington Road, at Teesside Magistrates' Court this week.

A three-month closure order was also granted by the Court for the flat, where more than 21,000 illegal cigarettes were seized by the Council's Trading Standards officers.

Several test purchases by officers in the months up to May this year confirmed cheap and illicit cigarettes were being sold from the shop which did not comply with tobacco labelling regulations.

Despite the business operator being warned about criminal activity at the store, further test purchases were made of illicit tobacco, the Court was told. 

A search warrant was executed at the flat last month with police which led to the discovery of three bags full of counterfeit cigarettes and rolling tobacco.

Complaints were also received from members of the public about the sale of illegal cigarettes from the shop, the Court heard.

Councillor Norma Stephenson, the Council's Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety, said: "Counterfeit cigarettes pose a big risk to communities because it's very difficult to know what is in them and it's incredibly worrying that such cigarettes are being sold to people.

"I'm pleased our Trading Standards officers have been able to secure maximum three month closure orders for both the shop and the flat. I'd like to thank them for their hard work and also thank the local residents who refused to put up with these criminal activities on their doorstep.

"These closure orders once again show we will not hesitate to take action to stop the sale of illicit and counterfeit tobacco. Those involved in this illegal trade obviously have no conscience - they're only interested in making money and don't care about the harm they're causing to our communities.

"I'd also encourage local people to report any sales of illicit tobacco to us so we can take the necessary action."

This work was carried out as part of Operation Cece, which is run in partnership with the National Trading Standards and HMRC to help tackle the sales of illicit tobacco.

Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, said: "The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law. Having removed 27 million illegal cigarettes, 7,500kg of hand rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, the National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC continues to successfully disrupt this illicit trade."

Anyone with information on the supply of illicit tobacco from any business or residential premises in the Borough is urged to contact Trading Standards on 01642 526560 or email trading.standards@stockton.gov.uk.

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