Illicit cigarettes hidden under floor in Tilbury shop found - leads to seizure of thousands of illegal tobacco products
Thurrock Council’s Trading Standards Team has forced another shop to close its doors after it repeatedly sold illicit tobacco products.
Thousands of illicit tobacco products have been seized, after a search found a hidden stash under the floor of a Tilbury shop.
Thurrock Council's Trading Standards Team has forced Tilbury Vape Shop in Dock Road to close its doors, following a ruling in Basildon Magistrates' Court.
The owner of the shop has been ordered to pay the council over £3,700 in costs.
In June, the team seized 2,960 sticks of cigarettes, approximately 2kg of hand-rolling tobacco, and 291 illegal vapes.
In October, another inspection took place, involving two tobacco detection dogs, Billy and Ziggy, alongside Essex Police and Immigration Enforcement.
A hiding spot was found, with over 5,700 cigarettes stashed inside.
Test purchases of illicit cigarettes were also conducted, with the shop selling illicit tobacco to officers on two separate occasions. Reports were also received from Essex Police that these illicit cigarettes were being sold to children.