Three shops in Stoke-on-Trent have been forced to close after an operation by trading standards found illegal cigarettes and vapes being sold.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has secured three-month closure orders for the following shops:

• Waterloo Store, Waterloo Road, Stoke-on-Trent
• Vinos Mini Market, Waterloo Road, Stoke-on-Trent
• Grab and Go, Waterloo Road, Stoke-on-Trent

This follows on from the raid of five shops earlier this month which was part of a joint trading standards and police investigation into illegal cigarettes and vapes in the city, linked to Operation CeCe, a national initiative which aims to tackle the supply of illegal tobacco. 

This comes after five shops were raided earlier this month (Stoke-on-Trent City Council).

30 officers from Stoke-on Trent City Council's and Staffordshire County Council's trading standards teams, Staffordshire Police and the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Service entered all of these premises in a coordinated operation. The officers were also assisted by a tobacco detection team from Wagtail UK.

Over several months test purchases took place at each shop that showed they were selling counterfeit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco. Officers were also able to buy vapes with tanks over the maximum size and incorrect labels. 

During the operation 25,000 cigarettes and 7.5 Kg of Hand Rolling Tobacco which have a street value of £8,000, retail value of £20,000 and evaded duty value of £14,000 were recovered, as well as 2,350 vapes, worth £30,000. This new evidence is now used in criminal investigations.

 At the time the council used its powers to issue four of the premises with a 48-hour closure notice. The fourth shop voluntarily closed after the council worked with the landlord.

Officers seized 25,000 cigarettes and 7.5kg of tobacco (Stoke-on-Trent City Council).

Councillor Amjid Wazir, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for city pride, enforcement and sustainability, said: "We said we would go to court to secure closure orders and we have done quickly. 

"We will now work with the landlords of these premises to ensure any new tenants do not supply illegal tobacco or vapes. Landlords commit criminal offences if they take rent for shops that they know are selling illegal goods. 

 "Illegal tobacco and vape sales affect the trade of legitimate businesses in our city and put consumers in danger. It won't be tolerated.  

"When we have the evidence, we will continue to take action like this against businesses who sell illegal goods in Stoke-on-Trent."

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