Closed: County Durham shop caught selling illicit cigarettes on six separate occasions

Closed for three months: The Crook Mini Market store at 80 Hope Street in Crook.

We secured a three-month closure order against the tenants of the Crook Mini Market store, at 80 Hope Street, at Peterlee Magistrates' Court.

Almost 15,000 illicit cigarettes seized

The court heard that officers were sold illicit cigarettes during an initial test purchase operation at the shop in February.

They returned later the same month and seized a quantity of illicit cigarettes.

The shop sold illicit cigarettes a further five times during test purchase operations between April and June.

And the sale of illicit cigarettes has continued despite ownership of the business changing hands during that time.

More illicit cigarettes were seized from a nearby car connected with the shop during raids carried out as part of a separate operation.

All in all, officers have seized a total of 14,800 illicit cigarettes and 10.35kg of tobacco with a total street value of around £5,830.

Similar products, if sold lawfully, would be worth £14,775.

Some of the goods seized are suspected to be counterfeit, and many did not contain the legally required health warnings. A related criminal investigation is ongoing.

'This is not a victimless crime'

Gary Carr, our strategic regulation manager, said: "Selling illicit tobacco is not a victimless crime, but those responsible care little about the harm they're causing. They're only interested in making money.

"This kind of activity is often linked to organised crime and brings nuisance and antisocial behaviour into local communities. It can also make smoking more accessible to children and damages those honest and law-abiding local businesses that operate legitimately. That's why it's so important we work with partner agencies to crack down on it.

"Our trading standards officers have been tenacious in their work to secure this three-month closure order, which is the maximum the magistrates can impose. I'd also urge local people to report any sales of illicit tobacco to us so we can take the necessary action."

The action taken supports Operation CeCe, a national crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade which sees local authorities work with National Trading Standards and HM Revenue and Customs.