Shops ordered to close for selling illegal tobacco and vapes

Two shops in Exmouth have been ordered to close for three months after illicit tobacco and vape products were seized from the premises.

On Wednesday 25 June, Devon & Cornwall Police worked with Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service to serve 48-hour closure notices to International Mini Market and European Shop.

Exeter Magistrates Court granted full closure orders on Thursday 26 June, and the shops must now cease trading for three months.

Under Section 80 of Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, Devon and Cornwall Police submitted the closure order applications to the court after Officers from the Exmouth Neighbourhood team and Trading Standards officers supplied evidence of illegal tobacco sales at both premises.

The application was supported by evidence that the shops had been selling illegal vapes, and supplying vapes to children under the age of 18 following test purchase operations carried out over the last 12 months.

Since the start of the operation, officers have seized illegal and counterfeit tobacco products, vapes and cash from the two shops, expected to be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Inspector Mat Helm, who heads up the neighbourhood policing team in Exmouth, said: “These shops have persistently stocked and sold illegal cigarettes and vapes, so we are pleased to get these closure orders in place to prevent further sales of potentially dangerous tobacco and vape products.

“Profits from criminal enterprises are often linked to organised crime groups. So, by taking them off of the streets, we’re able to protect our communities from unregulated products while also disrupting a wider network of criminal activity that can include the exploitation of vulnerable people.

“I’d like to thank members of the public who reported concerns to us. The information we receive in the form of intelligence really does make a difference in our investigations and I’d encourage anyone with concerns about businesses that may be operating illegally to contact us.”

Alex Fry, Operations Manager for Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service said: "We use detection dogs as we are finding that criminals are using increasingly elaborate methods to hide illegal tobacco, such as behind specially constructed hidden panels and in ceilings above insulation tiles.

“But regardless of where it is hidden the dogs can sniff out even small quantities of tobacco.

“This is a great example of how we have worked with our partners in Devon and Cornwall Police to act on intelligence and target unscrupulous sellers.”

To report concerns of counterfeit goods, contact Trading Standards via email: tradingstandards@devon.gov.uk or phone 01392 383000.

To report concerns of businesses engaging in illegal activity or to log non-urgent crimes happening in your area, please visit the force website or call 101.

Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111, or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org