West Midlands store ordered to close over illegal cigarettes, vapes

A mini-Market in Halesowen has been ordered to close for three months for selling illegal cigarettes and vapes despite repeated warnings.

Halesowen Mini Market on Peckingham Street, Halesowen has been selling illegal cigarettes and vapes since November 2021. Despite trading standards carrying out sting operations on 11 occasions, including one where a vape was sold to a person under the age of 18, the business continued to ignore trading standards and sell illegal goods while causing nuisance in the town centre.

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council stated, “The business deliberately attempted to avoid capture, storing the illegal goods in various locations in the shop, including a special metal door that contained a void in the wall as well as storing items in various vehicles and nearby properties.

“Even when trading standards advised the business that they would be attending the shop on Tuesday 16 July to close the business for 24 hours, officers who attended found a white van used by the business storing £58,000 worth of illegal tobacco and vapes.”

This van was subsequently seized by West Midlands Police as it was being used as part of crime, and trading standards seized the contents of the vehicle. Trading standards served a closure notice under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and closed the shop for 24 hours.

Trading standards proceeded to Dudley Magistrates’ Court on July 17 to make an application to close the business for three months. The court heard the uncontested application and granted the closure order and ordered the landlord and tenant pay 50 percent each of Dudley Council’s costs, which was in excess of £11,000.

Councillor James Clinton, cabinet member for public health, said, “This business was deliberately and openly breaking the law and putting people’s health and in particular the health of minors at significant risk. Illegal tobacco and vaping supplies can be adulterated with unknown ingredients and dangerous chemicals, and often funds organised crime.

“We not only aim to protect consumers and safeguard legitimate businesses, but we also look to fully investigate all suspects including landlords, who may be aware their property is being used for crime. Our trading standards team will not hesitate to take enforcement action to protect the public.”