Two shops in Bensham have been ordered to close after being found to be associated with the sale of illegal tobacco.
Inspectors from Trading Standards and officers from Northumbria Police busted the owner of Kubus General Dealers, on Coatsworth Road, after quantities of illegal tobacco were found in “sophisticated” hiding places. Sniffer dogs also searched the area surrounding the shop and found more of the tobacco hidden in nearby parked cars.
Owner Ali Ahmed Zada contested the closure order, but the application was granted before a district judge.
