Wolverhampton shop faces losing licence over illegal cigarettes and cannabis
An off-licence faces having its licence revoked after more than 14,000 illegal cigarettes, 3,350kg of tobacco and a large stash of cannabis were found inside.
The Mini Mart, in Dudley Road, in Blakenhall, in Wolverhampton, was raided earlier this year.
It came after officers from Wolverhampton Trading Standards received a tip-off that illicit cigarettes and tobacco were being sold there.
Police and trading standards bosses seized 14,150 cigarettes – equivalent to 707 packets of 20 – and 3,350kg of hand-rolling tobacco equal to 67 50g pouches from behind the counter and also in a specially constructed concealed area in a rear storeroom.
After sending in a tobacco search dog, police also discovered an A4-sized bag of cannabis in the loft area.
The tobacco products were all immediately suspected of being illicit or non-duty paid and were subsequently seized.
'A number of offences'
An application for a review of the premises licence has now been made by Dianne Slack, Wolverhampton trading standards tobacco control officer, which will be discussed by the council’s statutory licensing sub-committee next week.
Sergeant Steph Reynolds, who represents the Licensing Partnerships Team for West Midlands Police, said: “The evidence provided by trading standards clearly shows that a number of offences have been committed in relation to possession of illegal drugs and illegal cigarettes and tobacco.
“This discovery shows that the licensing objective of prevention of crime and disorder has been seriously undermined, and it is the decision of the licensing sub-committee to determine what steps are suitable to ensure the licensing objectives are upheld in the future.
'Serious matter'
“It is a serious matter and not a victimless crime, and given this it would be West Midlands Police’s recommendation that the licence be revoked.”
Senior public health specialist for the city council, Parpinder Singh, added: “I have reviewed the documentation put forward by trading standards and would support the request to review the premises licence under the objective of the prevention of crime and disorder.
“Public Health have very serious concerns regarding the significant amount of illicit tobacco seized in February. As a responsible authority we would expect any business licensed to sell alcohol to act responsibly at all times and promote the key objectives of the 2003 Licensing Act.
“Public Health is not reassured that the business is operating in adherence to the licensing act and therefore supports trading standards request to review the current licence.
“I or a suitable representative from Public Health will attend the hearing in order to provide further information as required.”
Wolverhampton City Council’s Statutory statutory licensing sub-committee will discuss the matter at a meeting on Wednesday.
