Illegal vapes sold at family-run shop

The family-run store had been found to be selling illegal tobacco products in 2020

Products including untaxed cigarettes, vapes and banned medicine were found during a shop search.

GSK Liquor Stop on Dudley Road, in Blakenhall, was searched in July with more than 200 illegal vapes, chewing tobacco and hundreds of litres of untaxed beer, wine and spirits found.

Banned tablets, labelled as herbal remedy and "powerful stimulant" Multani Kaminividravana Rasa, which contain opioids such as codeine and morphine and other substances not regulated in the UK were also found.

Shop owner Gurmej Singh was accused of “putting the public at risk” and repeatedly ignoring the law by the city council. A decision on whether to revoke the licence was postponed.

The family-run shop was found to have been selling illegal cigars and tobaccos during a raid in 2020 after a sniffer dog found products that had no proof of duty, English health warnings or standardised packaging.

A written warning was issued.

Two complaints were made last year that the shop was selling illegal cigarettes and alcohol as well as high-strength vapes and tobacco to children but an underage volunteer was refused the vape during a later sting, the council said.