Two Stockton shops shut after 32,000 illicit cigarettes found

The two shops have been shut down for three months after thousands of illegal cigarettes were found, the council said

Two town centre shops have been closed down after 32,000 illegal cigarettes were seized.

Stockton Council said trading standards officers found a hole in the wall of the Zirak Mini Market store, leading into the Guarantee Barber shop, where the cigarettes were kept.

The authority has shut down both premises for three months.

It said it visited the shops after receiving complaints of illicit tobacco being sold, including to children.

A spokesperson said illicit cigarettes were also sold to an undercover officer for £5, below the usual price of £12.

'Zero tolerance'

As well as the cigarettes, about 22lbs (10kg) of illegal tobacco and 22 e-cigarettes, which were over the permitted capacity of liquid nicotine, were seized.

The council said the court closure orders were obtained with the help of Cleveland Police.

Carolyn Nice, the council's director of adults, health and wellbeing, said: "It's worrying for the community that these illegal cigarettes are being sold as it's difficult to know what is in them, but we take a zero-tolerance approach.

"I'd encourage residents to continue to report concerns about sales of illicit products to us so we can take the necessary action."