News-Shop closed after £16,000 of illegal items discovered behind fake wall

Items seized at the shop

We were granted a closure order by Peterlee Magistrates Court for Quick Pick Store, following an investigation by its community protection team.

Magistrates heard that our officers inspected the premises after receiving intelligence from the community that the shop was selling illicit items.

Hidden items

With support from Durham Constabulary, we executed a warrant of entry. We discovered a false wall which, when removed, revealed more than £16,000 worth of illegal tobacco related products.

In total, the team seized 10,060 cigarettes and 15.25 kg of hand rolling tobacco, along with 852 non-compliant disposable vapes, which contained nicotine. The items had an illicit market value of around £16,211.00.

The court granted a three-month closure order on the premises, lasting until February 2025, and ordered Quick Pick Store to pay £1,709 in costs.

Community impact

Gary Carr, our strategic regulation manager, said: "Tackling illegal tobacco remains a key priority for us as it brings crime and health problems into our communities. It can often fuel human trafficking, the drugs trade and loan sharks, as well as impact on compliant businesses and make it easier for children to get hold of cheap tobacco.

"We'd like to thank the community for providing us with the intelligence for Quick Pick Store. Receiving community intelligence is a vital way for us to know if suspected illegal trade is being carried out and we would encourage anyone with information on the suspected sale of illegal items to report it to us, so that we can investigate and take action if necessary.

"We hope that another successful closure will act as a warning to other businesses that we will not tolerate the trade of illegal tobacco in County Durham."