Bazar store, Gladstone Street, Darlington closed by officers

Officers also seized counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco products as well as illegal vapes from the premises on 122 Gladstone Street, which had been trading as Bazar Store. The products had a combined estimated retail value of over £5,000.

The premises had been under the scrutiny of trading standards following a previous closure in 2023, which was served in response to the sale of illegal vapes and cigarettes at Babylon Mini Market, which traded from the same address.

The case is the latest in an ongoing joint operation between Darlington Borough Council’s trading standards team and Durham Police to combat the illegal trade of tobacco and nicotine products in the area.

In January of this year, a reporter from The Northern Echo was able to purchase overfilled, supersized vapes easily, cheaply and quickly - even being shown a menu of highly illegal devices.

Six vapes were test purchased from stores around Darlington – with consumer watchdogs confirming that two, purchased from Corporation Road Mini Market, and the Romanian Shop on North Road, were illegal, as they were unregulated, oversized, and untested.

During the hearing against Bazar Store at Peterlee Magistrates Court, information about suspicious activity from males operating in and around the premises with suspected illegal products was shared with the court.

The court heard the illegal products were hidden and transported in small bags and concealed on the premises and within personal clothing.

Details of the tactics used to evade law enforcement, including the concealment of illegal tobacco products and vapes in vehicles and bins in the streets and lanes surrounding the premises, were also presented alongside intelligence about sales to underage children.

Darlington Borough Council argued that the revolving door of people connected with, and trading from, the premises was done with the intention of disrupting law enforcement, and the trade of illegal products was highly likely to continue.

A three-month closure notice was granted, during which time the premises will not be allowed to operate as a business. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the council's trading standards team.

Shaun Trevor, trading standards and animal health manager for Darlington Borough Council, said: "We regularly work with the police and other agencies to enforce the law and protect our community. Results like this send a very clear message that criminal behaviour, which leeches out into our streets and impacts law-abiding residents and traders, will not be tolerated.

"Community cooperation is crucial in maintaining a safe environment for all, and we encourage anyone with information about the illegal sale of vapes and cigarettes in Darlington to report this to us. We will continue to pay close attention to the premises on Gladstone Street to ensure any businesses operating from there are trading fairly and honestly, and will take further action if needed".

Councillor Jim Garner, cabinet member for stronger communities, added: "We take the illegal sale of cigarettes, vapes and other tobacco products very seriously and are committed to taking positive and hard-hitting action on businesses which pose a risk to the health and wellbeing of our communities. Those who attempt to exploit or sell harmful products to children should be warned that we will use the full extent of our powers to bring offenders to justice.

"I would like to commend the tremendous efforts of our trading standards team and local partners, which is helping to protect our residents and keep our streets safe, ensuring Darlington remains a great place to live, learn, work or invest".

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Inspector David Littlefair, from Darlington Neighbourhood Police Team, said: "This type of criminal activity helps fund organised crime groups. Supplying these products to underage children can also lead to exploitation and criminality. Our commitment to eradicating these illegal operations remains unwavering, and we will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to ensure the protection of our community".

Anyone with information that can assist trading standards in Darlington can email tradingstandards@darlington.gov.uk or report it using the online form (this can be done anonymously) at www.darlington.gov.uk/doitonline.

You can also contact Durham Police on 101 with any information, or submit it online via the 101 Live Chat: www.durham.police.uk/Report-It/101-Live-Chat