POLICE have secured a three-month closure order against a shop on Winwick Street, Warrington, found selling illegal vapes, tobacco and cigarettes worth £7,600.
Officers from Warrington’s LPU Neighbourhood team were granted the three-month closure order against the Sezam store on Winwick Street and the property above it on Tuesday, 1 September.
The court was presented with evidence obtained by officers that showed the shop had been involved in the sale of illegal tobacco products.
It was also heard that the store had failed several test purchase operations, with it being uncovered that cigarettes and tobacco products had been sold to children on several occasions.
On 15 June, officers conducted a section 8 warrant at the shop and the flat above it alongside local Trading Standards teams, with approximately 26,400 non-compliant cigarettes, 6kg of hand rolled tobacco and 17 non-compliant vapes being found inside.
The tobacco products were found within the loft space above the flat, with officers also finding a concealed chute system that led down to the shopfront, used to transport the products.
The products seized were believed to be worth over £7,600.
Under the closure order, the property will remain closed for a period of three months, including to its occupants.
Anyone who enters it during this time could face a significant fine or even a prison sentence.
Police Constable James A’Hearne said:“This is a great result which reflects a significant amount of work undertaken by our Neighbourhood Team and our local community partners.
“We know the sale of illicit products in our local communities is a big issue that matters to residents, so I hope that the closure of this shop and the recovery of the products found inside reassures residents of our commitment to holding those who break the law to account.
“We would continue to ask anyone with information about the sale of illicit products to report it so we can work together with our partners to tackle this issue.”
