Wolverhampton shop where 20,000 illegal cigarettes seized could lose licence
A shop where more than 20,000 illegal cigarettes were seized thanks to the help of a search dog is at risk of shutting for good.
Wolverhampton's Transilvania Shop, in Merridale Street West, could lose its premises licence after the hoard of illicit tobacco was uncovered four months ago.
Council offices have now raised "very serious concerns" that school children in the nearby area could have been affected by toxins produced by the counterfeit goods.
Amy Baker, health improvement officer at the council, said: "Public health has very serious concerns regarding the significant amount of illicit tobacco seized.
"Sales of illicit tobacco make smoking tobacco more affordable in a ward that is the seventh highest deprived of all Wolverhampton wards and higher than the city average.
"The location is within the top 20 per cent of the most deprived wards in England. There are also three primary schools within close proximity of the venue.
"As a result, young people could be impacted by the toxins produced from the unknown contents of the illicit tobacco sales in this area."
A total of 20.540 illegal cigarettes, equivalent to 1,027 packs, were uncovered on November 16 last year.
They were discovered in a suitcase in a storeroom and under the counter in a plastic cup at the store, which is also know as the Romanian Shop.
Specialist search dog Yoyo led trading standards officers to a Mercedes parked on double lines outside the shop and registered to the owner - with cigarettes found in a cardboard box, on the back seat and in the boot.
In a report to the council's licensing sub-committee, Ms Baker added: "Public heath is not reassured that the business is operating in adherence to the Licensing Act and therefore supports trading standards' request to review the current licence."
Trading standards raided the shop, which is in the Graiseley ward, after receiving information that illicit cigarettes and tobacco were being sold in August and October.
Goods were suspected of being counterfeit or non-duty paid and were seized along with the vehicle, CCTV, hard drive, paperwork and a "substantial amount of cash".
'Foreign cheap whites' - including Marvel and NZ - were collected as they are "foreign brands brought into the UK illegally, specifically to be sold on the black market".
British branded products with foreign warnings and labelling were also seized as they breached UK regulations and were non-duty paid, the council said.
Councillors will discuss the premises licence review at a meeting on Monday.
