Dramatic raid on shop as council makes 21 closures

Video footage of raid at a Stourbridge shop has been released by Dudley Council’s trading standards team today, as a warning to illegal traders.

The council has confirmed that it closed 21 shops between January and July, with three more shops to be closed this month, as it continues to combat the national trend of pop-up shops selling illicit and counterfeit goods.

The social media video shows illegal goods found by officers during a visit to a shop near Stourbridge ring road earlier this week. The gang operating the store was found to be offering home delivery of counterfeit goods and the video also shows officers breaking the windows of a car to access counterfeit cigarettes inside.

Throughout the year officers have targeted premises in Dudley, Halesowen, Lye, Sedgley, Wall Heath, Stourbridge and Coseley, uncovering serious offences including the sale of illegal tobacco, disposable vapes, and drugs - some of which were being sold to children.

During this years operations officers have seized 9,162 disposable vapes, 426,090 single cigarettes, 72.5kg of hand-rolling tobacco, 220 nicotine pouches, 436kg of shisha and 18 large nitrous oxide canisters.

They have also discovered cocaine, counterfeit and foreign medications, dangerous counterfeit toys, and offensive weapons including knives and bats and some investigations have revealed concerning links to modern slavery, people trafficking, and other organised criminal activity.

One of the most significant recent actions have resulted in prosecutions for members of a criminal gang headed up by Sywash Mashkhaty. The group operated a network of illegal shops across the borough selling illegal tobacco and were jailed for over 12 years combined, with further investigations ongoing.

Councillor Phil Atkins, cabinet member responsible for trading standards and environmental health, said: “This is a major victory for community safety and a clear message to those who think they can operate outside the law. These shops were not just selling illegal products, they were also putting lives at risk and exploiting vulnerable people.

“Illegal pop-up shops are sadly a national issue that doesn’t just affect Dudley borough, but I hope that our successful operations will serve as a reminder to any would be criminals that crime does not pay and they will ultimately be found out.

“I want to thank our trading standards team for their tireless work, they are often met with aggressive and hostile behaviour, and I must commend their bravery and determination.

“I also would like to thank the landlords who have worked with us to evict illegal tenants, together we will continue to pursue those who threaten the safety and wellbeing of our residents.”

Consumers with concerns about shops in their local area can email Trading.standards@dudley.gov.uk or can call the confidential hotline number on 01384 814600.