News-Store closed and duo left £4,300 worse off as illegal tobacco crackdown continues

And another shop linked to thousands of pounds of illegal tobacco has been ordered to close for three months, with a legal bill of more than £1,700 for the leaseholder, following separate action by us.

Joanne Waller, our head of community protection, said: "Illegal tobacco and vapes can be damaging to people in a number of ways.

"They are bad for your health and it can be easier for under age children to get hold of them than normal products. We also know they can bring organised crime into our communities.  

"We continue to work hard to prevent illegal tobacco being supplied in our area and to take action where we become aware of it, as this successful prosecution and closure order show.

"We hope the loss of earnings and financial penalties will both act as a deterrent and serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can get away with selling illicit cigarettes or vapes in our area."

The first case at Peterlee Magistrates Court saw Jeyaranjan Arumugam, 57, of Romaine Square, Bowburn, plead not guilty to five counts under The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. These were selling vapes that either had nicotine capacity over two millilitres, or did not have the required written health warning on their packaging.

A trial heard that in October 2022, intelligence was received by us, that illegal tobacco and vapes were being sold by Go Local Store, at Romaine Square, in Bowburn.

An inspection was carried out and illegal vapes, cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco were seized. The vapes included 28 with 'Snoop Dogg' branding.

Arumugam was given a warning and advice.

In March 2023, our officers carried out a follow up visit, to ensure the premises was complying with the law.

During that inspection, behind what appeared to be legal products, officers found vapes that were not compliant. They exceeded the 2ml tank nicotine capacity, with one having 8ml capacity.

Further illegal vapes were found behind bottles of whiskey and vodka and wrapped up and placed inside cleaning product packaging. The defendant said these were for personal use.

Arumugam was asked if he had any more illicit products and said he did not. However, a further search revealed several open boxes of wine, with white plastic bags inside, containing illegal vapes.

Behind the counter, multiple packs of yellow cleaning cloths were found to contain vapes that exceeded the legal 2ml tank capacity. In all, 98 illegal vapes were seized.

In Arumugam's defence, magistrates heard there was no direct evidence of retail sale, with no test purchase carried out or CCTV footage.

However, the court found the defendant guilty and imposed a fine of £1,000, costs of £1,206 and a victim surcharge of £400 - a total of £2,606.

In the second case, we applied to Newton Aycliffe magistrates for a three-month closure order against Orange Mini Market of Front Street, Chester-le-Street.

Illegal tobacco worth £2,665 was seized from a vehicle linked to a man who was managing the shop in September last year, following which, the leaseholder was given advice.

Nevertheless, illegal sales continued, with our ofciers becoming aware of illicit products being brought to the store on a daily basis.

Magistrates were told test purchases were carried out, based on intelligence, with some resulting in illegal tobacco being sold and some not. Furthermore, a rucksack containing illegal tobacco worth £660 was found on the premises.

Cigarettes were believed to be counterfeit and their packaging did not comply with standardised requirements or contain the legally required health warnings.

The court was told consultation has taken place, with police, local councillors, two residents and two retailers responding to support our request for a closure.

Magistrates ultimately agreed to issue the order, which will be in place until 11.59pm on 22 April. The leaseholder was ordered to pay £1,709 in costs.