A shop in Portsmouth has been shut down for selling illegal tobacco following multiple complaints and police raids.
Trading Standards officers closed the Bucharest shop located in North End after receiving repeated tip-offs about illegal tobacco sales. The store had been causing problems for local residents and businesses in the area.
The crackdown extended beyond the initial shop. Officers conducted a raid on a neighbouring business and discovered more illicit tobacco products hidden on the premises. Investigations indicate that this location was being used as a secret storage site to evade law enforcement.
Trading Standards are currently seeking a three-month Closure Order for the Bucharest shop. Although the court hearing was postponed to later this month, the premises remain closed at present. An update will be provided to confirm whether the shop will remain closed for a longer period under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Portsmouth Trading Standards expressed gratitude to the community for supporting the crackdown, stating, “Thank you to the public, local businesses and police partners for backing this crackdown. Together, we’re making it harder for criminals to profit from dodgy tobacco sales.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
