THE owner of a shop in Grays has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after illegal tobacco and vapes were found in a wall and under the counter of the premises.

On Friday, 9 August, Southend Magistrates Court ordered Dilsha Rashed, 41, of Lee Gardens, West Midlands, to pay £2,700 in fines, £3,000 costs and a £1,080 victim surcharge.

The store owner pleaded guilty to several offences including failing to comply with tobacco and vape regulations.

Thurrock Council's Trading Standards Officers raided Shelby's in Clarence Road, Grays, three times over four months.

Billy sniffs out the haul.

On their third visit to the premises on 1 June, tobacco detection dogs assisted officers and found illegal tobacco hidden within compartments in a wall and under the counter.

"The illicit tobacco was sniffed out by tobacco detection dog Billy, a working cocker spaniel.

As part of their initial investigation in February, an officer was able to buy illegal tobacco during a test purchase.

A large amount of illegal tobacco and vapes was then seized at the premises on 21 February and more on 3 March. When sampled, some vapes contained levels above the legal limit.

Cllr John Kent, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: "Thanks to the diligent work of our Trading Standards Team, 972 illegal cigarettes, 115 pouches of counterfeit rolling tobacco and 1,873 illegal vapes were seized during these investigations and taken off the streets of our communities.

"This business clearly disregarded the health and wellbeing of their customers by repeatedly selling illegal and unsafe products to the public, including potentially underage children, and now they are paying the cost for that.

"Our Trading Standards Officers work hard to make sure that illicit and potentially harmful goods are not available for sale in the borough.

"I hope this serves as a warning to anyone who thinks they can flout the rules and put personal gain over the welfare of their customers."

Report concerns about counterfeit products to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or through the council's Trading Standards webpage.