Another six shops in Torbay shut after raids uncover illicit vape sales

Six shops in Torbay have been closed on the same day in a first for Devon & Cornwall Police, after being found to sell illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco.

Plymouth Magistrates’ Court ordered the stores in Torquay and Paignton to close for three months following a joint operation between police and trading standards. Officers can apply to extend the orders if required.

Some of the shops had been previously warned but continued to trade illegally. Illicit products were found hidden in unusual places, including in a ceiling above a toilet, with specialist detection dogs helping to uncover the stashes.

The premises closed on Thursday 11 September were:

• Milano Mini Market, Tor Hill Road, Torquay

• Cheeto Market, Union Street, Torquay

• International Mini Market, Union Street, Torquay

• The Mist Market, Fleet Street, Torquay

• Blueberry Store, Torbay Road, Paignton

• Laz One Shop, Torquay Road, Paignton

Torquay Inspector Rob Harvey said: “This is a fantastic and significant result to get this many commercial premises closed in one go. The action taken reassures the communities of Torbay that we are acting on information reported to us and will not tolerate this illegal behaviour.

"Public health is a very important issue and we will respond to local concerns. We know that illegal sales of this nature can also cause commercial harm to local legitimate businesses and I would like to thank local residents and businesses for their continued support.”

National intelligence suggests shops of this kind can take between £2,000 and £3,000 per day from illegal tobacco sales. Counterfeit cigarettes are often sold for around £4.50, with fake hand-rolling tobacco priced at £6–£10.

Alex Fry, Operations Manager for Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service, said: “This joint operation will have severely disrupted the illegal tobacco trade in the area. The sale of illegal tobacco harms children as they are able to buy tobacco for pocket money prices and encourages them to take up the habit, and harms legitimate businesses because they undercut legitimate traders who play by the rules.

“We will continue to work with our partners in Devon & Cornwall Police to act on intelligence and target unscrupulous sellers.”

Since September 2023, police and partners have secured more than 30 closure orders on commercial and residential premises across Torquay, Newton Abbot, Exeter and the wider South Devon area. Recent actions include the closure of four shops in Torquay in July and two in Exmouth in June.

Councillor Hayley Tranter, Torbay Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said: “As part of Operation Town Centres, we’re working with police to ensure our town centres are safe for all.

“Illegal vape shops are not safe places – the items sold are detrimental to public health and the unlawful sales take business away from hardworking, honest traders. I’m pleased so many premises have been shut in one day. We will always act on local concerns and I would encourage residents and businesses to report any suspicions to the police or council.”

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