Two shops in Redditch have been shut down after investigators discovered they were selling illegal tobacco and vape products.
Trading Standards officers supported by West Mercia Police officers, served closure notices for Redditch Mini Market and Romanian Magazine on Monday (9).
Following court hearings on Wednesday (11) both shops received a closure order and must now cease trading for three months.
Officers from Worcestershire Trading Standards, West Mercia Police, and Redditch Borough Council used test purchasing and specially trained tobacco dogs to prove that the shops were selling illicit tobacco and vape products.
Since the start of the operation more than £100,000 of illegal tobacco products and nearly £6,000 of illegal vapes have been seized.
Police Sergeant Dave Roberts of Redditch Town Centre Team said, “Working with our partners we are pleased to get these closure orders at premises in the town centre who have persistently stocked and sold illegal cigarettes and vapes on the black market.
“The profits from such criminal enterprises are linked to organised crime groups so taking them off the streets has not only protected the public from unregulated products but also disrupted a wider network of criminal activity that can include the exploitation of vulnerable people.
“Furthermore, nearby retailers selling legitimate tobacco products and vapes have reported to Trading Standards their sales of these items and associated ad hoc sales of other goods are down as much as £500 to £3,000 a week in the past two years.”
Councillor Karen May, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for Communities said: “Trading Standards officers and West Mercia Police have previously found a small number of shops across Bromsgrove and Redditch where multiple seizures of illicit tobacco and illegal vapes products had taken place.
“We needed to take these steps and ensure they are stopped from selling these products in the future and protect residents from harmful products.”
Police and Crime Commissioner, John Campion said: “This latest success in the fight against harmful illegal tobacco and vapes is a great example of what we can achieve together, to protect Worcestershire’s residents from the potential health harms of illegal tobacco and vapes.
“Decent law-abiding retailers must also be protected from those who seek to undermine their businesses with cheaper, harmful products. Let this be a warning to any other retailers illegal selling of harmful tobacco and vapes will not be tolerated in Worcestershire.
“I am committed to keeping people safe in Worcestershire and was delighted to support this project.”
