Thurrock Council's Trading Standards Team has forced a Grays shop to close its doors after it repeatedly sold illicit tobacco products.

Station Mini Market, in Derby Road, Grays, will not be allowed to open or trade for three months, following a ruling by Southend Magistrates Court. Its owner Zuber Ismail has also been ordered to pay the council £4,994 in costs.

After being tipped off by residents Trading Standard officers carried out undercover test purchases and were sold counterfeit cigarettes. The shop also sold an illegal vape to an underage trading standards volunteer.

During a raid in March this year officers found 16,000 illicit cigarettes and 6kg of illicit rolling tobacco, which they seized to prevent it going back on sale.

At a second raid in June this year officers, assisted by Billy the Tobacco detecting dog, discovered that the shop's owner had restocked counterfeit and non-duty paid cigarettes and tobacco and seized a further 31,000 cigarettes and 4.3kg of rolling tobacco, as well as 410 illegal vapes.

Cllr Lynda Heath, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Constitutional and Civic Affairs, said: "We took action after receiving complaints from residents that Station Mini Market was selling illicit and illegal products.

"The fact that the shop's owner actually restocked with illicit products after the first seizure shows why we had to take such a tough line with them. Now they will have to close for three months, and during that time cannot make any money from the shop.

"Our Trading Standards Team work tirelessly to keep dangerous and unregulated products out of the borough's shops to prevent them possibly harming residents' health.

"I would encourage anyone to report any suspected illegal tobacco sales, your information could help stop others becoming ill as a result of being exposed to illicit tobacco or vapes."

The action was part of the joint HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and National Trading Standards initiative, Operation CeCe, which has been working to seize illicit tobacco since January 2021.

If anyone has any information about the sale of illicit tobacco or illegal vapes from this premises or any others you can report it by calling 0808 223 1133 or through the council website. 

Residents can also report underage tobacco or vape sales on our website at thurrock.gov.uk/underage-sales