County Durham shop ordered to close twice in six months for selling illicit tobacco and vapes
by Adam Foster · ChronicleLiveA shop in County Durham has been forced to close for the second time in six months after being found selling illegal cigarettes, tobacco and non-compliant disposable electronic cigarettes.
Durham County Council issued a closure notice on A-One Market at Annfield Plain and made an application for a closure order at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court.
The magistrates heard that the landlord of the West Road premises had applied to have a previous closure order lifted after advising the council’s Trading Standards team that they would take steps to prevent the criminal activity occurring again.
It wasn’t long before the Trading Standards team obtained evidence that the new tenants in the shop were supplying illegal tobacco and non-compliant vapes. Officers executed a warrant of entry at the shop, the flat above the premises, and a vehicle believed to be connected to the store, with colleagues from Durham Constabulary. However, no illicit tobacco products were found.
While officers were searching, several different members of the public from the local area approached Trading Standards officers and the police to point out that a van which had been parked in front of a garage for a week was being used by the shop workers for storing illicit products.
An emergency warrant was obtained from magistrates for the van and entry was gained. Inside the back of the van were three bags containing illicit tobacco products and non- compliant vapes.
In total, the team seized 5,900 cigarettes and 5.5kg of hand rolling tobacco along with 30 non-compliant disposable electronic cigarettes, with a combined illicit market value of around £2,737.
The court heard that the shop workers denied any knowledge of the van, even though it was registered in the same name as one of the store workers. The van, which had been causing an obstruction to a garage belonging to another business in the area, was later removed by the council’s Neighbourhood Wardens team. Attempts were made to contact the registered keeper, but no-one claimed ownership of the vehicle and it was later disposed of.
The court granted a three-month closure order on the premises, and it will remain shut until 11.59pm on February, 13, 2025.
Gary Carr, Durham County Council’s strategic regulation manager, said: "Illegal tobacco might not seem like a big deal, but it can bring crime and health problems into our communities. Illicit tobacco is often associated with human trafficking, the sale of drugs and people being exploited by loan sharks and can make it easier for children to get hold of cheap non-compliant products.
"This is the second time this premises has been forced to close due to illegal tobacco in six months and we hope the action we’ve taken serves as a warning to other businesses that we will not tolerate this trade in County Durham. We continue to investigate these cases and further action will be taken if necessary."
Inspector Dave Stewart, from Consett Neighbourhood Police Team, said: "Illicit and dangerous tobacco and vapes can not only cause serious harm to people’s health, but the proceeds are often invested into organised crime and can help fund more serious and violent offences.
"This is great example of partnership working on issues that affect our communities and we will continue to respond to concerns raised.
"We know that our communities will not tolerate the antisocial behaviour and criminality that these activities bring. If you have any information regarding potential criminality in your community then please report it to us - we will always act on intelligence submitted to us, as these closure orders have shown."
Members of the public with any information on the suspected sale of illicit items are urged to report it by calling the illegal tobacco hotline on 0300 999 0000.
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