Stalybridge, UKsupermarket shut down for illegal tobacco sales: Court imposes three-month closure order

Key points:

Shop in question: A supermarket in Stalybridge, England has been shut down for selling illegal tobacco products. 

Investigation findings: Since 2021, authorities have seized 34,080 illegal cigarettes, 16.95 kilograms of illegal hand-rolled tobacco, and 270 illegal e-cigarettes. 

Penalty outcome: The court has issued a three-month closure order.

Official stance: The city council has stated that they will continue to crackdown on illegal tobacco sales to protect the rights of legitimate businesses and public health.

According to the Manchester Evening News report on August 12th, a store in Stalybridge, England has been shut down for selling illegal cigarettes, hand-rolled tobacco, and e-cigarettes.

The supermarket located on Melbourne Street has been closed, after the Tamsaide City Hall obtained a court closure order against the store on August 8th.

Stockport Magistrates' Court has learned that since 2021, the Trading Standards team at the Town Hall has seized 34,080 illegal cigarettes, 16.95 kilograms of illegal hand-rolled tobacco, and 270 illegal e-cigarettes from the store.

The court issued a three-month shutdown order.

Councillor Laura Boyle, the executive member for environmental services and community affairs at Tameside Town Hall, praised the efforts of the trading standards team in working closely with Greater Manchester Police and other partners to combat illegal activities.

She stated, "This is another major achievement by our trading standards team, who have worked closely with Greater Manchester Police and other partners to combat illegal activities. The illegal trade of cigarettes, tobacco, and e-cigarettes supports criminal groups, damages legitimate businesses, harms public health, and encourages the supply of tobacco to young people. This court order will prevent the business from continuing its illegal activities and avoid any negative impact on the local community."