Ross-on-Shop Closed By Herefordshire Trading Standards

[Hereford Voice]

Cracking down on illegal tobacco

Herefordshire Council’s trading standards team are continuing their fight against both illegal tobacco and illegal vapes in the county by organised criminal groups.

Illegal vapes and cigarettes can contain various harmful substances and have been previously found to contain weedkiller, lead and animal faeces. The products sold are very often counterfeit and have an adverse impact on legitimate local businesses.

The council’s trading standards team carry out targeted enforcement operations and pursue prosecutions and other legal action against offenders.

Anyone concerned about the sale of tobacco or vapes, including sales to children in the county, should report the matter to Trading Standards on 01432 261761 or via ethelpline@herefordshire.gov.uk

Latest successful court action

The Mini Market vape shop at 49 Broad Street, Ross-on-Wye has been issued with a court order forcing it to close for a full three month period, ending on 19 November this year, after the council’s trading standards team discovered illegal tobacco products during a raid.

Hereford Magistrates heard that on 4 enforcement visits since June 2023, 592 illegal vapes, 581 packs of illegal cigarettes, and 5.75 kg of counterfeit hand rolling tobacco have been seized. There had also been two sales of vape devices to under 18’s, as well as the sale of two illegal oversize vapes to a Trading Standards operative. A secret stash of illegal vapes was also found in an outside toilet at the back of shop.

Appearing by video link, the current business owner Akar Dyer Hassan of Gloucester, denied any connection with any of the seized items, but admitted being the owner of the shop premises on that date.

Magistrates ordered that the shop remain closed until midnight on 19 November 2024, commenting that the issuing of the order was important to protect children of the Ross area, along with the prevention of further crimes.

Hassan was also ordered to pay £1050 costs.

Charles Yarnold, Head of Regulation and Technical Services said: “The use of these emergency closure powers by Herefordshire Council, with the assistance of West Mercia Police, is a proven method for successfully tackling this major criminal activity. The sale of illegal tobacco, even from a relatively small shop can lead to half-a-million pounds tax evasion per year and some of the illegal vapes seized from this shop contain up to an astonishing 25 times the legal limit of nicotine. The imposition of the maximum three months closure shows the courts take such matters extremely seriously.”

Cllr Barry Durkin, Cabinet Member for Roads and Regulatory Services, who has accompanied officers on a number of raids, commented: “It was very interesting and educational to watch our trading standards officers do what they do best – conduct targeted operations to help protect the community. It was surprising to see the amount of illegal tobacco and vape products seized from a relatively modest size premises, and it emphasises the importance of constant vigilance and the dedication of our officers. I’d like to encourage anyone with information on the trade in illegal tobacco to contact our trading standards team immediately.”