Reform UK war on vape shops hots up as second High Street outlet ordered to shut
A second Newcastle vape shop, Cobra Vape Shop, has been ordered to close for three months due to illegal goods.Summary
A second vape shop in Newcastle, Cobra Vape Shop, has been ordered to close for three months by the North Staffordshire Justice Centre. Following a search warrant, trading standards officers discovered 71 illegal vapes and evidence linking the shop to another recently closed business, Simba's Shop.
Evidence presented to the court suggested that Cobra Vape Shop may have been acting as a depot for Simba's, which was previously shut down for selling illegal tobacco and vapes to minors. Investigators found identical perishable goods in both locations and witnessed staff exchanging illegal goods between the two premises.
Although owner Borhun Abdullah denied a formal connection to Simba's, claiming a £500 transaction for stock, magistrates granted the closure order, citing the high likelihood of continued illegal trade.
(Source：Stoke Sentinel)
