A HARTLEPOOL shop has been closed by the courts for selling counterfeit tobacco.

Baltic Mini-Market on Oxford Road was closed following the making of a closure order by Teesside Magistrates Court.

As a result, the premises has to remain closed for three months following a Hartlepool Council Trading Standards investigation that included undercover officers being sold counterfeit tobacco on six separate occasions and further counterfeit tobacco being seized during five Trading Standards raids.

The investigation was launched in March 2016 following complaints of nuisance linked to the sale of counterfeit tobacco.

Hartlepool Council’s trading standards and licensing manager Ian Harrison said: “These premises have shown a continued disregard for the law.

"As this was causing a nuisance for the local community, powers to close the premises were used and this was followed by a successful application to Teesside Magistrates for a three month Closure Order.”

The Closure Order makes it a criminal offence for anyone, other than the owner, to enter the premises.

Baltic Mini-Market had its alcohol licence revoked in October 2016 but it had continued to sell other goods.

  • Anyone with information about the sale of counterfeit goods can contact Hartlepool Council’s Trading Standards Team on 01429-523362.