Honiton shop shut down for three months after illegal tobacco found

A Honiton convenience store has been ordered to close for three months following the discovery of counterfeit tobacco and suspected criminal activity.

Karina Store was issued a 48-hour closure notice on Tuesday 15 July by Devon & Cornwall Police in partnership with the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service. The notice was followed by a full closure order granted by Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 17 July. The shop must now remain shut until mid-October.

The closure comes after two visits to the premises in recent weeks, during which officers seized illicit tobacco products and cash.

Neighbourhood Beat Manager for Honiton, Craig Amarilli, said:

“Thanks to the concerns raised by local residents, we were able to quickly gather intelligence, take action, and secure a closure order within just 13 days. This has stopped the sale of potentially dangerous tobacco and vape products and dealt a blow to the profits of criminal enterprises."

He added that proceeds from the sale of illicit tobacco are often linked to wider organised crime, including the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

Karina Store was one of five shops in the region ordered to close for similar offences. Palace Mini Market, Tower Store, and Paignton Express — all in Paignton — and American Shop in Torquay also received three-month closure orders.

Alex Fry, Operations Manager at Heart of the South West Trading Standards, said:

“All five of these businesses were found to be hiding illegal tobacco products — in some cases using specially built concealments. But with the help of detection dogs and joint operations with police, we were able to uncover the truth. We support honest businesses and will continue to act against those who break the law.”

Since September last year, police and Trading Standards have secured 29 commercial and residential closure orders across South Devon, including in Torquay, Newton Abbot, and Exeter.