Three-month closure order for shop caught selling illegal cigarettes
A SHOP selling illegal tobacco products with a street value of more than £5,000 has been ordered to
close for three months.
Magistrates in Newton Aycliffe granted Durham County Council’s application for a closure order
against D&M’s Tuckshop in Commercial Street, Willington, this week. The application, which was
uncontested by the shop’s owner, followed an inspection by the local authority’s Trading Standards
team in July.
During the inspection, officers found 533 packets of illicit cigarettes. This prompted the council to
execute entry warrants on the premises and surrounding storage areas, leading to the discovery of a
further 425 packets of illicit cigarettes and nine packets of hand rolling tobacco. The overall value of
the seized illegal tobacco is about £5,600.
Gary Carr, strategic regulation manager at Durham County Council, said: “The trade in illegal
tobacco harms our communities, not only making it easier for children to start smoking but
supporting organised criminal networks across the North East and beyond. It also robs the public
purse of taxes that support vital services and impact on the livelihoods of honest businesses
operating within the law.
“I hope this closure gives the shop owner time to reflect on the severity of these offences and
sends a clear message to others involved in the sale of illegal tobacco that we will take action.
“We would like to thank members of the public for bringing this to our attention and would urge
anyone with information on the suspected sale of illegal items to report it by calling the illegal
tobacco hotline Keep it Out on 0300 999 0000.”
Residents seeking help to quit smoking can access support by contacting Smokefree County
Durham on 0800 772 0565 or www.smokefreecountydurham.co.uk .
