The two latest shops closed for trading in illegal tobacco have strong links to organised crime intelligence suggests.
Following investigations by trading standards and police this week another two shops, this time in Exeter, were closed for three months for repeatedly trading in illegal tobacco.
On Monday District Judge Smith at Exeter Magistrates’ Court granted three-month closure orders on Quick Stop, 143B Fore Street, and European Shop, 124–125 Sidwell Street.
Both have long histories of selling illegal tobacco, despite numerous warnings and enforcement visits.
The closures were the 15th and 16th in just six months, with previous shutdowns in Honiton, Exmouth, Plymouth, Exeter and Torquay.
Investigators revealed that Quick Stop used electromagnetic secret doors and a hydraulic ram-operated ceiling compartment to hide their stashes.
At the most recent visit, tobacco products were discovered in two vehicles linked to the store and the contraband and vehicles were seized with help from HMRC and Devon and Cornwall Police.
Just this year illegal goods valued at over £9,000 have been seized from Quick Stop.
And during the most recent visit to the European Shop a man was spotted fleeing from a makeshift hut at the rear of the store – officers found bags of illegal tobacco in the hut.
Trading standards believe that ‘orders’ for illegal tobacco were made in the shop then passed to the occupant of the hut using two-way radios.
The tobacco was then passed through a hole into the shop. This year products worth over £4,000 have been seized from the European Shop.
Alex Fry, Operations Manager for Heart of the South West Trading Standards said:
“Trading Standards will continue to work with the police to stamp out the illegal tobacco trade.
“These are not victimless crimes. Not only does the availability of cheap products make it easier for children to start smoking, our intelligence suggests that these shops have links to organised crime groups.”
Councillor Simon Clist, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Trading Standards said:
“I want to congratulate our hard working, professional and diligent trading standards officers who worked tirelessly to gather the evidence needed to close these unscrupulous business and stamp out this criminality.
“These stores were harming other businesses because they were undercutting legitimate traders who play by the rules.
“I also want to thank our partners in the police for this success, it was a real joint effort.”
