Five Great Yarmouth shops have been closed immediately following raids targeting the suspected sale of illegal cigarettes and tobacco products.
Five shops in Great Yarmouth have been ordered to close immediately following a major crackdown on the suspected sale of illegal cigarettes and tobacco.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council issued Closure Notices to the five town-centre premises on Wednesday 19 August following months of intelligence gathering and enforcement work.
The operation involved the borough council, Norfolk County Council Trading Standards, Norfolk Police and HM Revenue and Customs.
Authorities carried out 14 raids as part of the investigation, alongside undercover test purchases designed to gather evidence of ongoing illegal trading.
The council says officers discovered hidden stashes containing tens of thousands of illicit cigarettes as well as packs of tobacco during the operation.
The immediate Closure Notices mean the businesses must remain shut while the council takes the next stage of legal action.
An application is now being made to Norwich Magistrates’ Court for Closure Orders which, if granted, could prevent the premises from reopening for up to three months.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council says the action is intended to disrupt illegal trading, protect legitimate businesses and tackle criminal activity associated with the illicit tobacco market.
The authority says partnership work with police, Trading Standards and HMRC will continue across the borough.

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