A shop in North Tyneside has been ordered to close following a crackdown on illegal tobacco sales.
European Food Market on High Street East in Wallsend was found to have been used for the sale of illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco.
On several occasions, Trading Standards Officers found illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco on the premises. Illegal cigarettes were also found in a vehicle parked nearby.
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On Wednesday, the tenants of the European Food Market were ordered to close the store for three months.
North Tyneside Council was granted a three-month closure order by North Tyneside Magistrates' Court requiring the premises to close with immediate effect. The court in North Shields also granted a costs order of £1,000.
This is the second closure order obtained by the local authority to tackle the supply of illicit tobacco.
Councillor Carole Burdis, Cabinet Member for Crime and Community Safety at North Tyneside Council, said: "Illicit cheap tobacco undermines price as one of the key drivers to bring down smoking rates, honest businesses cannot compete with illegal tobacco sellers and attracts criminality to neighbourhoods.
"This sends a very clear message to businesses across the borough about just how seriously North Tyneside Council takes the issue of protecting the public. It shows that action will be taken against businesses breaking the law in the borough."
Anyone who is aware of any ongoing sale or supply of illicit and counterfeit tobacco products, you can report it anonymously via the Keep-It-Out website.
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