Trading standards has now closed two more shops for selling illegal tobacco; and that makes 25 since July.
Trading Standards and police have once again joined forces to protect local communities by shutting down two more shops for selling illegal tobacco.
JR Mini Market in Bank Street, Teignmouth, and KA Mini Market in Hyde Road, Paignton, have both been closed for three months after joint action by Devon & Cornwall Police and Heart of the South West Trading Standards.
Trading standards have now closed 25 shops in their service area, Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay, in the last nine months for selling illegal tobacco.
The closures follow intelligence and reports gathered by trading standards with the police applying for closure orders through the courts.
Both shops are now required to remain shut for three months.
The closure orders were granted at Newton Abbot Magistrates Court on Monday 23 February and can be extended if necessary.
Alex Fry, operations manager from Heart of the South West Trading Standards added:
“Combatting the supply of illegal tobacco and vapes is a high priority for us. They are often sold at cheaper prices and the sellers are unlikely to care who they sell them to making them accessible to children.
The illegal trade brings criminality into the high street and by stopping the sale of these products we aim to help protect our communities as well as supporting those businesses that trade legally.”
Inspector Pete Giesens, who covers Paignton and Brixham, said:
“We want the public to know that we do listen to their concerns and we will take action. Local neighbourhood officers have been working hard to gather evidence and prepare for court, alongside our partners at Trading Standards.
“We will not tolerate businesses choosing to profit from unlawful activity, and those who continue to trade illegally should expect robust action.”
Investigations into the shops remain ongoing by Trading Standards, working alongside police colleagues.