Shop shut down for selling counterfeit cigarettes

A Stockton shop has been shut down for the second time for selling illicit and counterfeit cigarettes to customers.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council secured a three-month closure order of the Kalar Mini Market, on Prince Regent Street, at Teesside Magistrates' Court this week.

The Court heard that a number of complaints were made to the Council about counterfeit products being sold there earlier this year. 

Several test purchases by the Council's Trading Standards officers confirmed cheap and illicit cigarettes were being sold from the shop which did not comply with tobacco labelling regulations.

Despite the business operator and landlord both being warned about criminal activity at the store, further test purchases were made of illicit tobacco in November following more complaints from customers, the court was told. 

The shop formerly operated under the trading names of Azads Mini Market and Prince Regent Street Mini Market, both of which had been associated with the sale of illicit and trademark infringing tobacco. The premises was previously shut down with a  closure order in relation to counterfeit tobacco in 2019.  

Councillor Norma Stephenson, the Council's Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety, said: "Counterfeit cigarettes pose a big risk to communities because it's very difficult to know what is in them and it's incredibly worrying that such cigarettes are being sold to people.

"Those involved in this illicit trade obviously have no conscience - they're only interested in making money and don't care about the harm they're causing to our communities.

"We received a number of complaints about counterfeit cigarettes being sold at these premises, which had already been the subject of a closure order in 2019 while operating under a different name.

"I'm pleased our Trading Standards officers have been able to secure the maximum closure order of three months. I'd like to thank them for their hard work and also thank the residents who refused to put up with these criminal activities.

"This closure order once again shows we will not hesitate to take action to stop the sale of illicit and counterfeit tobacco. I'd also encourage local people to report any sales of illicit tobacco to us so we can take the necessary action."

Anyone with information on the supply of illicit tobacco from any business or residential premises in the Borough is urged to contact Trading Standards on 01642 526560 or email trading.standards@stockton.gov.uk.