Shop owner blames 'troubled area' after hundreds of illegal cigarettes and vapes seized
manchestereveningnews.co.ukA north Manchester shop has lost its alcohol licence after hundreds of illegal cigarettes and vapes were seized – but its owner has blamed the 'troubled area' around it.
Collyhurst Village Store has had its premises licence revoked. In total, 1,800 counterfeit cigarettes, 500g of illicit tobacco and 256 illegal vapes have been seized from the shop in five raids since 2016.
During the most recent raid earlier this year, a 'tobacco gantry' was found concealed behind a clock with further cigarettes seized from a stock room behind the till.
At a town hall hearing today (August 1), owner Yaser Mehmood was accused of not cooperating with Manchester council. Mr Mehmood, who was not at the shop during these raids, blamed the sale of illegal cigarettes on staff but took responsibility for the on-display vapes which exceeded the legal limit of 2ml. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features. However, he told the licensing panel that he cannot find 'professional' people to work at the shop because it is in a 'very troubled area'.
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