One dog’s keen nose has helped Liverpool City Council to take action against a shop that was hiding thousands of illicit items.
Domino Convenience Store on Smithdown Road has now been ordered by Liverpool Magistrates Court to remain closed until Tuesday 14 July to prevent any further illegal activity.
The Council’s Trading Standards team visited the shop in January alongside a tobacco dog. Despite the strong smell of bleach, the dog alerted officers to a potential concealment below a counter.
When asked to provide access to the concealed space, the shop’s staff member refused. It was quickly opened with the help of an electric saw and officers found 6,020 illicit cigarettes.
There were also 30 pouches of counterfeit tobacco (approximately 1.5kg), 13 illegal vapes and hundreds of Viagra tablets.
The items were seized and the owner of the shop was sent a formal warning.
However, on two separate occasions after the warning was sent, undercover investigators were sold counterfeit cigarettes.
As a result of their illegal activities, the store has been issued with a two-month closure order and must pay back costs of £2,980.
Unregulated vapes, cigarettes and tobacco could contain banned ingredients and may pose a serious health risk to anyone using them.
Rules around the sale of vapes are set out in the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.
Anyone who believes a shop is selling illicit goods can report it on our website, or through Crimestoppers. People can also report a shop they believe is selling age-restricted items to anyone underage on the Council website, or via Trading Standards.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture said: “We are working hard across the city to identify and take action against shops distributing illicit products.
“This sends a clear message that the sale of illicit cigarettes and tobacco will not be tolerated in our communities. Hidden concealments, counterfeit products and repeated offending pose a serious risk to public health and undermine legitimate businesses.
“All businesses know the law and must follow it. Closure orders are a vital tool in disrupting criminal activity, and we will continue to work with the courts to take firm action wherever necessary.”
