Exeter shop shut down after repeated attempts to flee with illegal tobacco

Police and Trading Standards have closed yet another business for selling illegal tobacco – despite repeated warnings and dramatic attempts to escape with contraband.

On Wednesday 26 November, District Judge Smith at Exeter Magistrates’ Court granted a three-month closure order on The Mini Market, 156 Cowick Street, Exeter.

The order follows a joint operation by Devon & Cornwall Police and Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service.

The court heard the shop’s proprietor ignored repeated warnings, continuing to sell illegal tobacco worth over £11,000 seized during five separate raids.

Officers intercepted multiple attempts to flee the premises with illicit goods.

In May, 436 packs of cigarettes and 89 pouches of tobacco seized from a man escaping through the rear entrance. In August, police intercepted a vehicle linked to the shop carrying more illegal tobacco. In September, another man was caught fleeing with 168 packs of cigarettes and 28 pouches of tobacco and, on Tuesday 25 November, a man was located on the shop roof with two bags of illegal tobacco as the closure notice was served.

Judge Smith warned the proprietor that if the shop reopens when the closure order is lifted after three months, it will be under “a very close eye.”

Inspector Nathan Johnson from the Exeter Neighbourhood Police Team said, “From the local Police Community Support Officer and Neighbourhood Beat Manager through to the legal department, the team have worked really hard to address the harms caused by this kind of organised crime.

“We will continue to respond to information from the public, seek to protect those in Exeter and address organised criminality.”

Alex Fry, Operations Manager for Trading Standards, said, “Despite repeated warnings, this shop continued to sell illegal tobacco. Cheap, illicit products make it easier for children to start smoking and undermines legitimate businesses.”

Councillor Simon Clist, Cabinet Member for Trading Standards, added, “We support businesses that play by the rules. Those that break the law will be shut down – and we’ll keep working with police to make sure of it.”

To report concerns of counterfeit goods, contact Trading Standards via email: tradingstandards@devon.gov.uk or phone 01392 383000.

To report concerns of businesses engaging in illegal activity or to log non-urgent crimes happening in your area, please visit the force website or call 101.

Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111, or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org