Investigations by Portsmouth City Council Trading Standards have resulted in the closure of two shops which persistently sold illegal tobacco and vapes.
Albert Food Store and Portsmouth General Market Store, both based on Albert Road in Southsea, were shuttered after Officers repeatedly found evidence of illegal activities on the premises.
Albert Food Store’s recent owner was found to be conducting illegal activity on 11 separate occasions over two years. Investigators carried out eight undercover test purchases and three inspections, in which a total of £47,000 of illegal stock was seized.
A 48-hour Notice of Closure was issued to the business on 31 July 2024, and at a hearing on 2 August, magistrates heard about the store’s long history of supplying counterfeit and smuggled tobacco products. Staff at the business would hide the products in sophisticated concealments inside the store and in vehicles parked nearby. The court also heard how the business intentionally concealed the identities of the individuals responsible, with the official owner changing hands frequently.
Persistent illegal activity was also found at Portsmouth General Market Store, with officers discovering offences on 11 separate occasions in just over a year. They conducted nine test purchases, one of which involved the sale of a vape to a child, and two inspections where £4,000 of illegal stock was seized.
A 48-hour Notice of Closure was issued on 31 July 2024, and at an adjourned court hearing on 14 August, magistrates agreed that criminal behaviour had taken place.
Both Albert Food Store and Portsmouth General Market Store have been ordered by the court to close for three months.
The cases follow the closure of Kingston Mini Market in North End last year for similar illegal activity.
Portsmouth City Council Leader, Councillor Steve Pitt said: “Our Trading Standards team will continue to use all of the tools available to stop the supply of illegal tobacco products being sold to our residents. We estimate this recent intervention has prevented £90,000 of illegally gained money from reaching the hands of criminals, and stopped harmful products being used by adults and children.
“This should serve as a stark warning that we will take the same action against any business found selling counterfeit items and tobacco products to under-18s.”
The locks at both Southsea premises have been changed and anyone entering can be fined or jailed for up to 51 months. After three months, the council can apply for an extension to the closure if there is no evidence to suggest the business can open and operate legally.
