Shop stripped of licence over fake cigarettes
ReutersA convenience store has been stripped of its licence following the discovery of counterfeit cigarettes.
Trading standards officers at Hartlepool Borough Council found the illicit goods were being sold from Bellevue Booze in Sydenham Road during two test purchases in October.
Store bosses had been given a "final warning" about the issue in 2023.
Store director Hadi Azagh told the council's licensing sub-committee he was "sorry", but members revoked his licence to sell alcohol.
Officers were twice able to buy counterfeit Lambert & Butler Silver cigarettes in October, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
An inspection identified "a sleeve of counterfeit" cigarettes in the store room along with several other packets in the cigarette gantry, the committee heard.
The premises was also found to be in breach of its licence by selling single high strength lager and cider cans.
Committee chairman Ben Clayton said the issue was a "serious matter" and counterfeit tobacco had a "hugely detrimental effect on public health".
Mr Azagh said he was "sorry" for the incidents and asked for "another massive chance to run my business" to help "make money" to support his family.
'New to business'
He added: "I know that we made a mistake and I'm not making any excuses. It will never happen again."
Mr Azagh said he was not in the country at the time of the October operation and "wasn't totally sure who was working at the time".
For the 2023 offences, he said the tobacco was "bought from a man in a van" after he was "assured they were OK to sell" at a time when he was "new at the business".
Council public health officials and Cleveland Police also supported the licence review.
The revocation means the shop will not be able to sell alcohol, although it can still open and the decision may be appealed.