Illegal vapes, pills, beer and wine found at shop

Gurmej Singh, owner of the GSK Liquor Stop in Wolverhampton, was caught with 200 illegal vapes intended for the US

A shop in Wolverhampton has had its licence suspended for six weeks after the owner was caught twice selling illegal goods.

Gurmej Singh, owner of the GSK Liquor Stop in Dudley Road, was caught with 200 illegal vapes and Indian erectile dysfunction tablets at his shop.

A search by Trading Standards, the Home Office and West Midlands Police also found illicit chewing tobacco and hundreds of litres of untaxed beer, wine and spirits.

City of Wolverhampton Council called for Mr Singh’s licence to be suspended for at least three months – if not indefinitely - at a hearing on October 17.

The search in July found hundreds of vapes and pills, more than 8,000 pints worth of beer, nearly 300 litres of wine, 60 litres of spirits and ten tonnes of chewing tobacco which had no proof of tax.

It also found banned tablets, labelled as herbal remedy and "powerful stimulant", called Multani Kaminividravana Rasa.

The pills contain opioids such as codeine and morphine and other harmful substances and have been linked to addiction cases in Australia and are not regulated in the UK.

Mr Singh received a written warning from the council in 2020 over selling untaxed cigars and chewing tobacco.

Duncan Craig, who was representing Mr Singh, said after being caught twice selling illicit goods, he was now “under no illusions” over what goods were illegal, banned or safe to sell, Mr Craig said.

Mr Craig told councillors that Mr Singh was approaching 60 and looking to step back from running the business and would be replaced by his son.

The elder Singh would have “no involvement” if the shop was allowed to keep its licence, his son confirmed at the hearing.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.