Key Summary
Two mini market-like stores in Exmouth are ordered to shut down for three months after previous inspections had revealed stashes of illegal tobacco products.
Exeter Magistrates Court granted three-month closure orders on the International Mini Market on The Strand and the European Shop on the town’s Parade following an application by Devon and Cornwall Police.
Last week, officers from Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service and Devon and Cornwall Police served the closure notices on both shops after previous inspections had revealed stashes of illegal tobacco products.
Over the past 10 months counterfeit and other illegal tobacco products where duty had not been paid, illegal vapes and ‘non legal market’ products, ‘branded’ products created for the express purpose of selling on the black-market, had been found by tobacco detection dogs.
Inspections at both premises discovered illegal tobacco products intentionally concealed in specially designed secret compartments.
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.”
Councillor Simon Clist, Devon County Council’s cabinet member responsible for trading Standards said, “The closures have been welcomed by many local people and demonstrate the continued close working relationship between trading standards and the police.
“We will support businesses that play by the rules but in this case both businesses were persistent offenders. Cheap tobacco encourages young people to start smoking and the proceeds are often used by organised crime groups to raise funds for their criminal activity.”
Meanwhile in Portsmouth, two members of staff from Fratton Food Store have been convicted for their roles in supplying counterfeit and smuggled tobacco products.
Following the previous sentencing, Portsmouth City Council Trading Standards carried out a financial investigation into the two store owners, Salar Karim Karam and Ali Kader Ismi to find out how much financial gain had been made from the illegal activities, leading to final conviction.
On June 11, Karam was handed a Proceeds of Crime Act ‘Confiscation Order’ totaling £27,260.20 for contributing to the supply of over 45,000 counterfeit cigarettes from Fratton Food Store in Portsmouth. Portsmouth City Council’s Trading Standards service brought this action and were subsequently awarded £5,248.28 in costs.
The financial enquiries into Ismil are ongoing.