Croydon Council has successfully closed down a shop in Croydon town centre following illegal sales of tobacco and vapes.
The Council used a closure order to shut down the business and adjoining flat for three months, the first closure order of that type that the Council has undertaken for illicit tobacco, vapes and associated criminality.
Stop and Shop at 79 Church Street was reported to the Council after a resident buying a packet of cigarettes suspected that they were counterfeit in November 2023.
The Council’s trading standards team then undertook a number of test purchases and raids, each time seizing sizeable quantities of illicit goods. The business failed to take measures to operate within the law and intentionally selling illegal products.
The raids, including with search dogs, found that the shop housed numerous purpose-built hidden compartments, which, when uncovered were found to contain hundreds of illegal tobacco products.
“This closure was brought about by the Council’s award winning trading standards team in another great result tacking criminality in Croydon.
“Criminals operating in Croydon damage reputable businesses’ trade as well as potentially damaging residents’ health.
“We will continue to work with other law enforcement partners where necessary to find and close down criminal gangs operating within the borough.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
