Vape shop shut after thousands of illicit cigarettes seized

Georgia Banks

29 November 2024 at 6:29 am·2-min read

Teesside Vape Shop, in Stockton has been forced to close for three months — -Credit: (Image: Stockton Council)

A Teesside vape shop has been shut down after thousands of illicit cigarettes were seized.

Stockton Council secured the three-month closure order of Teesside Vape Shop, on Bishopton Lane, in Stockton, at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. The court heard that council Trading Standards officers first visited the premises in October 2024 to inspect the shop and to give staff advice on vape legislation.

Officers searched the property and seized 100 vapes which did not adhere to regulations. While there, officers also witnessed customers trying to buy illicit cigarettes despite there being nothing on display to indicate tobacco products were available for purchase.

Two test purchases were then carried out that confirmed illicit cigarettes were indeed being sold at the shop. During another search of the premises with a tobacco detection dog earlier this month, officers seized 4,690 cigarettes, 29 pouches (1.45kg) of hand rolling tobacco and 127 vapes from a concealed area of the shop.

All the seized products failed to adhere to regulations and did not have the correct labelling or packaging. Some vapes also contained well above the maximum legal capacity of 2ml liquid nicotine.

Councillor Norma Stephenson, the council's Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety, said: "Illicit cigarettes, tobacco and vapes are very dangerous because it is so difficult to know exactly what they contain.

"I'm pleased our Trading Standards officers have been able to secure this closure order with the support of Cleveland Police - it shows that we take the sale of illegal and counterfeit cigarettes and vapes seriously and will continue to close down shops selling illegal products."

Inspector Matt Reeves, from Stockton's neighbourhood policing team, added: "Illicit cigarettes and vapes can not only cause serious harm to people's health but they can also be associated or linked to serious and organised crime. This is a great example of acting on information received and then working with our partners to combat the issue which was a concern to our local community.

"I hope the positive result provides reassurance to members of the public that we and our partners will act on intelligence that is reported and encourage people to keep getting touch no matter how small you think the piece of information may be."

This work was carried out as part of Operation Cece, which is run in partnership with the National Trading Standards and HMRC to help tackle the sales of illicit tobacco.

For the latest Stockton news direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter

Hello!
Woman claiming to be Madeleine McCann reveals she has spoken to missing girl's parents
Julia Wandelt believes that she could be the missing British girl Madeleine McCann
SWNS
Bus swerves off road and into group of pedestrians at bus stop
Shocking footage shows the moment a bus swerved off the road and onto the pavement - into a group of pedestrians waiting on the side of the road. The collision happened at 10:30am this morning on Lightmoor Way, Telford. The video shows the bus - which was heading to Telford Centre - drive into a group of three people. A crowd of people then run to the scene, to try and push the bus off the person who had been hit. The bus reverses off the pavement and emergency services were called to the scene.
CNN
‘My God there is light’: CNN witnesses moment Syrian prisoner is freed from Assad’s forced detention
While searching a secretive prison in the belly of the Assad regime’s legacy of torture for American journalist Austin Tice, CNN’s Clarissa Ward made a startling discovery when a rebel fighter uncovered a hidden prisoner still unaware of Assad’s ouster.
Evening Standard
OPINION - Laugh at Iqbal Mohamed all you want, but a law is the wrong way to tackle first cousin marriage
Iqbal Mohamed, one of the Independent Alliance of five MPs, went viral after his earnest defence of first cousin marriages as Parliament debated a proposal to ban them. Among other things, Mohamed said, these unions “help build up family bonds”. Since consanguineous marriage is a tradition among particular communities originating from the Middle East and South Asia, it would therefore be harmful, even racist, the subtext goes, to disparage or restrict its free practice.
The Independent
Full list of areas targeted in illegal streaming raids as police clamp down on ‘dodgy’ firesticks
Last month a man was jailed for over three years for using and selling the illegal item
People
King Charles Bumps Into Texas Tourists on London Street and Leaves Them Stunned: 'That Was Unreal!'
The King shared a heartwarming and unexpected moment with a group of charmed tourists in London
Wales Online
The moment man launches brutal unprovoked attack outside bar
The moment man launches brutal unprovoked attack outside bar
PA Media: UK News
What is happening to Sara Sharif’s siblings?
Questions remain over what will happen to Sara’s siblings and half-siblings, who were taken to Pakistan, after murder convictions on Wednesday.
CNN
She took a DNA test for fun. Police used it to charge her grandmother with murder in a cold case
It was the middle of Jenna Gerwatowski’s workday at the local flower shop in Newberry, Michigan, when she got a call from an unknown number.
CNN
Missing US man found in Syria says he was kept in prison after entering country as a pilgrim
A man thought to be a missing US citizen has been found in Damascus, Syria, telling reporters he had recently been freed from jail.
PA Media: UK News
Barrister hails dismissal of misconduct case as ‘victory for women’s rights’
Charlotte Proudman said she will be celebrating with champagne and her first worry-free Christmas in two years.
Sky News
Parents who forced 'extreme' vegan diet on toddler and buried his body in garden jailed
A couple have been jailed for causing or allowing the death of their three-year-old son after forcing him to endure an "extreme" vegan diet. Abiyah Yasharahyalah died from a respiratory illness while suffering from fractures, severe malnutrition, rickets, anaemia, stunted growth and severe dental decay. Jurors heard Tai and Naiyahmi Yasharahyalah, 42 and 43, kept the boy's body in their bed for eight days, embalmed him and then buried him in a shallow grave in their garden in early 2020.
The Argus
Teenager stabbed in seafront attack - boy aged 14 among six arrested
Teenage boys as young as 14 have been arrested after a boy was allegedly stabbed in the hand.
PA Media: UK News
‘Predatory’ priest who sexually assaulted sleeping man on train jailed
Father Daniel Doherty initially claimed he had been ‘affirming’ the victim.
Manchester Evening News
His dad wept outside the courtroom after he admitted what he'd done
'The potential ripple effect from sharing extremist material and encouraging support for terrorist organisation is one that can be felt across communities'
Hello!
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet's rare Christmas card photos with Harry and Meghan
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared some sweet and unexpected snaps to mark the festive season over the years
Manchester Evening News
The most cynical manipulation and betrayal of a mother’s love
The judge instructed her not to come back
Variety
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Accuser Details Alleged Sexual Assault at White Party: ‘I Was Screaming, I Was Telling Him to Stop’ and ‘He Was Acting Like It Was Nothing’
One of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ accusers has given an anonymous on-camera interview about his sexual assault allegations against the music mogul, marking the first time an alleged victim of Combs has done so. In an interview with CNN, a John Doe — whose face was concealed and voice altered to maintain his anonymity — detailed …
People
'17 Diapers' Mom Spoke About the Challenges of Single Parenting Weeks Before Investigation: 'Can't Do That'
"If you are a solo parent out there ... I commend you, because I sure as heck can't do that," Hiatt said in a video posted Nov. 21
Associated Press
Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
A former Syrian military official who oversaw a prison where alleged human rights abuses took place has been charged with several counts of torture after being arrested in July for visa fraud charges, authorities said Thursday. Samir Ousman al-Sheikh, who oversaw Syria’s infamous Adra Prison from 2005 to 2008 under recently ousted President Bashar Assad, was charged by a federal grand jury with several counts of torture and conspiracy to commit torture. “It’s a huge step toward justice,” said Mouaz Moustafa, executive director of the U.S.-based Syrian Emergency Task Force.

Latest stories