Business closed down as £10,000 worth of illegal tobacco seized

Business closed down as £10,000 worth of illegal tobacco seized

An Upminster business has been closed for three months after Havering Council’s trading standards teams and Havering Police seized in excess of £10,000 worth of illegal tobacco, cigarettes, hand rolling tobacco and Shisha last week.

Following weeks of investigation, an unannounced morning swoop was carried out on Wednesday 26 August at the 7 Days Convenience Store, Corbets Tey Road, Upminster, by the Council’s trading standards and enforcement teams, together with the Metropolitan Police and sniffer dogs.

To block the business from further selling the illegal goods which pose a big health risk to the public, the Council and Police attended Barkingside Magistrates Court on Wednesday 2nd September.

They were successful in securing a closure order of the business for the next three months.

This means the business will remain closed until 4pm on Tuesday 1 December.

Councillor Terry Brown, Havering’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Public Protection, said:

“I want to thank our trading standards and enforcement officers and the Police, as this is another example of great work to crack down on this crime.

“The stash of products seized are not only illegal but posed a huge health risk to our residents and they have now been taken off our streets. 

“This again, should serve as a warning to other businesses or individuals who think they can sell these illegal products in our Borough.

“We will find you and take strong action to ensure we help keep our residents and legitimate businesses protected and safe.”

Inspector Charlie Routley, Havering Safer Neighbourhoods Police, said:

"I welcome the decision of Barkingside Magistrates' Court to grant a three-month Closure Order for these premises. This result is the outcome of effective joint working between Havering Police and Havering Council, following concerns raised by the local community.

“This action forms part of Operation CeCe and our ongoing efforts to target organised criminality operating on Havering's high streets. The illicit tobacco trade is not a victimless crime. It undermines legitimate businesses, harms public health and generates profits for organised crime groups.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners to identify, disrupt and take robust action against those who seek to profit from criminal activity and cause harm within our communities. 

“The information provided by residents was instrumental in achieving this outcome, and I would encourage anyone with concerns to continue reporting them to us directly or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

“This Closure Order should also serve as a warning to any other premises involved in illicit tobacco sales or organised criminality. 

“We will continue to target businesses engaged in unlawful activity and will not hesitate to use all available powers to protect our communities and keep Havering's high streets safe."