A Middlesbrough convenience store has been shut down after it was found to be selling illegal tobacco and vapes.
According to local reports, The Sweet Shop in Beaumont Road, North Ormesby, was the subject of numerous complaints over illicit cigarette sales, including to children and young people under 18.
Teesside Magistrates heard that test purchasing was undertaken by Middlesbrough Council Trading Standards, with illicit products sold to officers on two separate occasions.
Investigations also revealed that cigarettes and other tobacco products were being stored away from the shop and brought there when needed for sales in an effort to avoid detection by enforcement agencies.
At a hearing on Thursday (April 24), The Sweet Shop was issued with an immediate three-month closure order.
Judith Hedgley, Middlesbrough Council’s Head of Public Protection, said: “Closure orders will be sought to shut down businesses engaged in selling illicit and counterfeit tobacco products and enforcement action will be pursued against those involved in this trade.”
Councillor Janet Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, added, “Selling any form of illicit tobacco is illegal and damages national efforts to protect people – especially the young - from the health harms linked to smoking or using vapes that contain nicotine.
"Sales of illicit tobacco are linked to organised crime and the Council will do everything possible to disrupt and prevent this appalling trade.”
