Two County Durham shopowners, one who stashed illegal vapes in wine boxes, have been fined more than £4,300 between them for selling banned smoking products.
Jeyaranjan Arumugam, 57, of Romaine Square, Bowburn, was found guilty of selling illegal vapes from his shop, Go Local Store, also in Bowburn - after 98 illegal vaping products were seized.
He was charged with five offences under The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, including selling vapes with a nicotine capacity exceeding two millilitres and failing to display health warnings on packaging.
Another store in Chester-le-Street was subject to a closure order from the council which took out the order against Orange Mini Market on Front Street.
In October 2022, Durham County Council received intelligence about the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes at the Bowburn store. An inspection followed, and illegal vapes, cigarettes, and hand-rolling tobacco were seized.
Despite being given a warning and advice, a follow-up inspection in March 2023 revealed illegal vapes hidden behind legal products. The vapes were found stashed behind bottles of whiskey and vodka and wrapped in cleaning product packaging.
Arumugam claimed these were for personal use. However, a further search unearthed several open boxes of wine, containing illegal vapes in white plastic bags.
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Despite there being no direct evidence of retail sale, the court found Arumugam guilty and fined him £1,000. He was also ordered to pay £1,206 in costs and a £400 victim surcharge, bringing his total financial penalty to £2,606.
A vehicle linked to a man managing the shop was found to contain illegal tobacco worth £2,665.
Despite receiving advice from the council, illegal sales continued, with illicit products being brought to the store on a daily basis.
Test purchases were carried out, resulting in some instances of illegal tobacco being sold. A rucksack containing illegal tobacco worth £660 was also found on the premises.
Cigarettes were believed to be counterfeit, with packaging that did not meet standardised requirements or contain necessary health warnings.
Magistrates agreed to issue the order, which will remain in place until 11.59pm on April 22 and the leaseholder was ordered to pay £1,709 in costs.
Joanne Waller, Durham County Council’s head of community protection, said: "We hope the loss of earnings and financial penalties will both act as a deterrent and serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can get away with selling illicit cigarettes or vapes in our area."
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