Weymouth shop caught selling illegal tobacco products and vapes to children
A shop in Weymouth has been ordered to close for three months after a crackdown on illicit tobacco sales
A Weymouth shop has been ordered to close for three months following joint action by Dorset Council Trading Standards and Dorset Police.
Blue Shop, located on St Thomas Street, was shut after magistrates heard it had repeatedly sold illicit tobacco - including sales to children - and had supplied illegal products to undercover Trading Standards officers.
Officers carried out a joint visit to the premises, which resulted in an immediate 48-hour closure due to suspected criminal activity.
During previous inspections, authorities had seized tobacco and vapes and uncovered sophisticated hiding places built into the fabric of the shop.
The concealed compartments were allegedly used to store tobacco products that cannot legally be sold in the UK.
The company director, Berez Fatahi, 23, of Wakefield, was arrested during the operation and had more than £2,000 in cash seized.
Mr Fatahi challenged the closure order and a Magistrates hearing was held, in which time the premises remained shut.
But ultimately magistrates ruled that the shop must remain closed for the maximum period permitted under the law which is until the 17th of May 2026.
Councillor Gill Taylor, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for health and housing, said the authority would continue to act against traders dealing in illegal goods.
“The sale of illicit items like tobacco harms our communities and undermines legitimate businesses,” she said. “Where our officers find evidence of criminal activity, we will act decisively with our partners to protect the public and disrupt the trade in illegal products.”
She added that the case demonstrated the importance of joint working between the council and Dorset Police in tackling criminal activity and protecting public health.
Authorities say enforcement action will continue against businesses found to be selling counterfeit or illegal tobacco products.