Three shops in Ashington, that were caught repeatedly selling thousands of pounds worth of illegal tobacco have been ordered to temporarily close by magistrates. 
 

Following a lengthy investigation by trading standards officers, Northumberland County Council applied to North Northumbria Magistrates for the closure orders under the provisions of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014. 
 

All three shops were involved in the sale of illegal and counterfeit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco at vastly reduced prices. Despite a number of visits from trading standards officers, including “test purchases”, seizure of illegal tobacco products and warnings, the shops continued to sell it. 
 

On January 20th a closure order was imposed against Ashington Fruit and Veg Ltd, on Woodhorn Road, Ashington, which was closed for 3 months until the 20th April 2022. The owner of the premises had been caught with in excess of £3,300 worth of tobacco which was seized following two visits to the premises over two months. On the first visit, tobacco was found hidden in the wall and during the second visit it was found hidden within the fruit and vegetables. 
 

At this court hearing, the council was also granted two temporary Closure Orders on other Ashington businesses - M & A Mini Market Ltd and Euro Express - pending a full hearing on Thursday 27 January. 
 

On January 27, M & A Mini Market Ltd, 35a Station Road, Ashington was ordered to close for one month. An estimated total of £1,600 worth of tobacco was seized from the premises in three visits over three months. 
 

Euro Express, 19 Lintonville Terrace, Ashington, was ordered to close for two months. A total of approximately £4,000 worth of illicit tobacco hidden in a wall at the premises, was seized during three visits. On 24th November, two visits were carried out on the premises within an hour. At the first, products were seized, but officers returned just one hour later to find that they had already restocked, and this tobacco was also seized.  

The council has previously used the powers within the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.to close residential properties, but this is the first time the council has ever used the power to close commercial businesses and it is a move that has been welcomed by other reputable businesses who are sticking to the law. 
 

Far from being a victimless crime, the low price and easy accessibility of illegal tobacco products discourages existing smokers from quitting and encourages non-smokers such as children to try it. This can lead to addiction and the associated serious health problems.  
 

Northumberland County Councillor, Colin Horncastle, cabinet member with responsibility for community services said: 

“I'm pleased that the magistrates have supported the actions of the council and in doing so agreed to impose closures to prevent the businesses from continuing to trade. I hope this sends out a strong and clear message, that we will not tolerate this criminal activity and there is no hiding place. 
 

“Closing a business is not a decision we take lightly, but despite being under criminal investigation for previous offences of selling illicit tobacco, secondary raids found they were once again selling the black-market products. These business owners had no respect for the law, or the harm they were doing, especially to the health of the younger members of their community, and now they will pay the consequences of their illegal actions.” 
 

“We must reduce the harm caused by the sale of tobacco and I would urge members of the public to continue reporting such activity so that we can take the necessary action.” 
 

Northumberland County Council has been backing the Keep it Out campaign from Fresh (the Regional Tobacco Control Programme) which has generated thousands of pieces of information about illegal tobacco to help trading standards take action. 
 

Ailsa Rutter OBE, Director of Fresh and Balance, said: “Smoking has killed 8 million people in the UK in the last 50 years and over 113,000 people in the North East alone since the year 2000. 

 “1 in 2 smokers will die from smoking, whether they smoke legal or illegal tobacco, but illegal tobacco gets kids hooked and helps fuel addiction in local communities. Dealers are linked to criminality and do not care if local children buy it. 
 

 “Shops selling illegal tobacco or selling to children can now face a range of sanctions, from having lottery or alcohol licences removed, to large fines to being closed. This is more excellent work from Northumberland County Council’s trading standards to take illegal tobacco off the streets and send out a strong warning to sellers.” 
 

All Closure Orders prohibit anyone from entering the premises except an authorised person who requires access to carry out their statutory duties. Anyone else on the premises is committing a criminal offence which carries an unlimited fine and, or a three-month prison sentence. Anyone seen on the premises should be reported to the police immediately. 

 

If you'd like to share some information and help keep illegal tobacco out of your community, you can report it confidentially to Trading Standards on 0345 600 6400