Stowmarket shop closed for selling illegal tobacco and vapes

A Suffolk store has been ordered to close for three months following a pioneering joint operation by Suffolk County Council Trading Standards and Mid Suffolk District Council to tackle the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes.

This is the first closure order in Suffolk granted by the courts for the sales of illegal tobacco or vapes from a business.

Star Convenience, situated on Ipswich Street, Stowmarket and currently owned by Mr Hawkar Omer Rasul, was the subject of multiple enforcement visits since it first opened in late 2023.

Initial action began back in November 2023, when Trading Standards officers seized illegal tobacco hidden under the counter during an inspection of the newly opened store. Two further inspections during 2024, supported by Suffolk Police and using tobacco detection dogs, revealed hidden concealments were being used to hide illegal goods on site. In total 134 pouches of hand rolling tobacco, 463 packets of illegal cigarettes, and 458 illegal vapes were found and seized.

Following engagement with the landlord, there was a change in tenant, however further test purchase operations conducted by Trading Standards in late 2024 and early 2025 confirmed Star Convenience was still selling illegal tobacco.

In light of this persistent criminal activity, Mid Suffolk District Council and Suffolk Trading Standards successfully applied for a three-month closure order, which was granted by the courts to protect the local community and prevent further harm.

Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said:

“This closure sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the sale of illegal tobacco or vaping products here in Suffolk.

“These items are not only harmful to resident’s health, but they also undermine legitimate local businesses and fund organised crime. I commend the work of our Trading Standards team and partners in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.”

Graham Crisp, Head of Suffolk Trading Standards, added:

“Our officers have uncovered repeated and deliberate attempts to conceal illegal goods, including the use of hidden compartments and persistent unlawful trading. The sale of illegal tobacco and vapes puts the public at risk and damages community trust.

“This Closure Order is the result of thorough investigation, community intelligence, and partnership working. It is the first one in Suffolk for such activity and we will be seeking to use this powerful enforcement mechanism much more in the future to tackle and prevent the sales of illegal tobacco and vapes”

Leader of Mid Suffolk District Council, Cllr Andy Mellen, said:

“I am delighted that by working with Suffolk Trading Standards we have been able to demonstrate our council’s zero-tolerance approach to the sale of illegal and potentially dangerous tobacco and vapes.

“We will continue to take all possible steps to protect our communities from crime and anti-social behaviour, while supporting legitimate traders on our high streets.”

Report the sales of illegal tobacco and vapes to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.