Trading standards and police crackdown on illegal tobacco in Darlington

Darlington Borough Council and Durham Constabulary have achieved another significant result in their ongoing fight against the illegal tobacco trade.

At a hearing yesterday (Wednesday 14 January) at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court, Harim Qader of Thornton Street, Darlington, was found guilty of offences linked to the sale, storage and packaging of illegal cigarettes, tobacco and vapes.

He was sentenced to a prison term totalling 34 weeks which has been suspended for two years during which time Mr Qader must complete 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge totalling £454.

Mr Qader is the latest in a series of individuals connected to the Bazar Store on Gladstone Street to face enforcement action.

A multi-agency operation in March last year uncovered illegal tobacco products with an estimated street value of more than £24,000. and a true retail value of nearly £69,000, stored at Mr Qader’s home, which is also the registered office for Bazar Store. In total 3,831 packs of illegal cigarettes, and 295 packs of hand-rolling tobacco were seized from this address.

Further intelligence also resulted in trading standards officers from the council seizing 484 packs of illegal cigarettes, 39 packs of hand-rolling tobacco and 264 vapes from a private dwelling on Lowe Street, which the occupier claimed belonged to the Bazar Store. These had an estimated street value of £5,852 and true retail value of £11,545.

An additional 319 packs of cigarettes, five packs of hand-rolling tobacco, and 22 vapes were also seized by Durham Police from a commercial waste bin beside Bazar Store, after staff were seen making repeated trips to the bin.

A three-month premises closure order for 122 Gladstone Street (Bazar Store) was issued on 11 June 2025 and the premises has not re-opened as a mini market.

This latest conviction demonstrates the council’s commitment to tackling the illegal tobacco trade and protecting public health.

If required, trading standards officer have the option to apply to the courts for two further three-month premises closure orders for the property on Gladstone street - local authorities do not have powers to permanently close a business.

Currently, businesses in the UK do not need a licence to sell cigarettes but must register with the UK ID issuer for the tobacco track and trace system. However, proposed legislation could soon require both premises and individuals to hold a licence to sell tobacco, vapes and nicotine products—giving local councils greater powers to enforce standards and reduce opportunities for illicit traders.

Darlington Borough Council will continue to monitor problem traders, but community support is vital. Anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco, vapes or cigarettes in Darlington is urged to contact the council’s Trading Standards team via email at [email protected], or use the online form at www.darlington.gov.uk/ts-report-it. You can also contact the police on 101 or report online via the 101 Live Chat: www.durham.police.uk/Report-It/101-Live-Chat.

Councillor Jim Garner, cabinet member for stronger communities, Darlington Borough Council, said: "Delivering safer, healthier communities, ensuring local people live well for longer and building a strong, sustainable local economy are three of our main priorities. I am delighted with the continued progress our colleagues in trading standards are making to frustrate and disrupt the illegal tobacco market, which undermines honest local businesses, and places public health at risk by encouraging smoking and targeting young people with pocket money prices.”

Inspector David Littlefair, from Darlington Neighbourhood Police Team, added: “This type of criminal activity helps fund organised crime groups and goes hand-in-hand with drug dealing, child exploitation and money laundering. Our commitment to eradicating these illegal operations remains unwavering, and we will continue to work tirelessly with the council to protect our local communities from the very real dangers posed by these businesses."