Illegal vapes found behind fake wall in shop

Durham County Council received a tip-off about the shop

More than £16,000 worth of illegal cigarettes, tobacco and vapes were found stashed behind a fake wall in a shop.

Durham County Council investigated the Quick Pick Store in Peterlee and discovered the goods after a tip-off.

Peterlee Magistrates' Court ordered the shop to close until February next year and pay £1,709 in costs.

Gary Carr, the council's strategic regulation manager, said tackling "illegal tobacco remains a key priority".

When council officers entered the shop, they found a false wall which, when removed, revealed 10,060 cigarettes and 33lbs (15kg) of hand rolling tobacco, along with 852 non-compliant disposable vapes, which contained nicotine.

The illegal tobacco products were found behind a fake wall

Mr Carr said illegal tobacco brought "crime and health problems into our communities" and could "often fuel human trafficking, the drugs trade and loan sharks".

"We hope that another successful closure will act as a warning to other businesses that we will not tolerate the trade of illegal tobacco in County Durham," he said.