THE COUNCIL’S Trading Standards Service has successfully applied for a Closure Order against Redcar Mini Mart, a Redcar business involved in the persistent sale and supply of illegal and counterfeit tobacco products.
Teesside Magistrates Court approved the Closure Order for the premises on Wednesday, 9 November. Magistrates heard that illegal sales had continued despite formal warnings being sent to the business which trades from Pearl House, Redcar High Street.
The Closure Order remains in place for three months, with the potential of it being extended a further three months, if necessary.
This action was taken as part of Operation CeCe, a National Trading Standards initiative, in partnership with HMRC, aiming to tackle the supply and trade of illicit tobacco and cigarettes.
The application was supported by Cleveland Police, who have also assisted the Council’s Trading Standards Officers in their visits to the premises for the purpose of the investigation.
Cabinet Member for Health and Welfare, Cllr Steve Kay said: “The illegal tobacco trade doesn’t only harm honest local businesses and communities, but it also supports criminal organisations to continue to operate outside the law. It is a crime which will not be treated lightly in our borough. Our Trading Standards Service will continue to work closely with our various partner agencies to continue to disrupt and remove the illicit tobacco trade from our towns and villages.”
Inspector Neil Deluce, from Redcar & Cleveland Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We were pleased to be able to support a successful Closure Order application led by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. Wherever possible we will work together with the local authority to tackle illegal trading like this.”
If you are aware of any ongoing sale or supply of illicit and counterfeit tobacco products, you can report it anonymously via the Keep-It-Out website, at https://keep-it-out.co.uk/anonymous-reporting/
Your information is vital to our continued efforts to fight this issue.