Wolverhampton shops lose licences after fake booze raids

Euro Shop and Sam Euro Style - both in Whitmore Reans - had their licences revoked after 'blatantly disregarding' the law

Both stores have been regularly raided by police and trading standards over the years and Wolverhampton council has now decided enough is enough.

The shops, both based on Newhampton Road West, had their licences revoked at a meeting of the licensing sub-committee last week. They can appeal but, if upheld, it will mean they can no longer sell alcohol. The order does not affect cigarettes.

Committee chairman, Councillor Alan Bolshaw, said: "Both of these premises showed a blatant disregard not just to the licensing conditions, but by selling counterfeit alcohol and tobacco, which are potentially hazardous to the public.

"We hope this sends a strong message that we will take swift, robust and decisive action against the minority that deliberately flout the laws and show contempt for the communities they are meant to serve."

The most recent raids of both premises on July 17 netted the biggest ever haul of illicit booze and cigarettes in Wolverhampton, with an estimated £150,000 of goods seized. Sniffer dogs uncovered thousands of counterfeit cigs hidden in secret compartments, behind fakes walls and buried under floorboards.

Sam Euro Style had its licence reviewed on the grounds of preventing crime and disorder. The panel heard that on the July 17 raid, officers found more 250,000 cigarettes - 22,000 concealed inside the store, and the remainder in the flat above the shop. It is estimated counterfeit and non-duty paid alcohol, tobacco and cigarettes to the value of £100,000 were seized.

Euro Shop's review was triggered on the grounds of prevention of crime and disorder, as well as protecting children from harm, after underage volunteers in a covert operation were able to buy cigarettes and vodka-based alco-pop in March.

The July raid of Euro Shop found more than £50,000 of goods, including 68,000 illicit cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol, the meeting heard. On April 2, police also found and seized an illegal Taser under the counter, the committee was told.

Mr Arkani Muradi held the premises licence until his wife, Soma Khalid Jasim, took over earlier this year.

Therese Constantine, representing Mrs Jasim, said her partner hoped to sit his licence test in coming weeks and would take over the store, with Mr Muradi staying on as a store assistant.

While Mr Murandi accepted the illegal cigarettes found in the store had been given to him to sell, Mrs Constantine said, the couple denied any involvement with the haul found in the flat above the store.

Both shops now have 21 days to appeal the decision at the magistrates' court.

They can continue to sell alcohol during the appeal period, and if they do appeal can sell alcohol until the court makes a ruling.

While the stores can continue to trade cigarettes and other goods, and someone else may apply for a premises licence to sell alcohol, the area falls under a 'cumulative impact zone'. This means that the applicant will have to prove that the sale of alcohol will not add to crime and public nuisance in the area.

Some aspects of the meetings were held in public excluded, as the information discussed may jeopardise any criminal prosecution if made public.