- Newgate Market closed after 435 illicit cigarette packs found; owner fined £1,384.
- Two other stores in Horden and Easington also shut for selling illegal tobacco.
- Council warns of health risks and pledges continued crackdown.
A County Durham store has been closed after searches found more than 400 packets of illegal cigarettes, which the owner claimed had been given to him by a stranger.
Durham County Council on Friday (Aug 1) reported that its officials executed search warrants at the business known as Newgate Market on Newgate Street in Bishop Auckland as well as an associated vehicle.
A total of 435 packets of illicit cigarettes were found in the vehicle and seized, along with 86 pouches of hand rolling tobacco.
The premises has been told to close for three months following the successful application at Peterlee Magistrates Court. The business owner, Mohammed Osman Ahmed, contested the order.
Ahmed claimed in court that he was approached by a man who gave him the cigarettes and then put them in the defendant's car. He argued that his business was legitimate and finished by saying he was sorry for doing anything wrong.
During proceedings £1,384 in costs were awarded by the court against the defendant.
The business is one of three to be hit by a closure order recently as the county's Community Protection Service continues to tackle the supply of illicit tobacco products within the county.
Azii Mini Market at Prospects Buildings in Horden was also closed for three months after searches found illegal tobacco on the premises and in vehicles linked to the building.
Meanwhile, Vapes & Beyond on Seaside Lane in Easington was closed for three months after searches found illegal tobacco on the premises and in two associated properties.
Owen Cleugh, our acting head of community protection services, said: "Supplying and selling illicit tobacco is an offence and we will not tolerate it. These products can be dangerous to residents and often do not contain the required health warnings.
"Not only are they a health risk, but they also attract and encourage crime within our communities. This business was in possession of a large quantity of illicit tobacco that could have had severe impact on Bishop Auckland and surrounding areas.
"We hope this closure order demonstrates how seriously we take these offences and serves as a warning that we will take action whenever we can to stop this illegal activity."