A court has shut a Swindon vape shop for three months after a raid by police resulted in the seizure of counterfeit tobacco and cigarettes.
Wiltshire Police secured a closure order for Chilled Vapes in Cricklade Road following a visit which uncovered the sale of illegal goods on Monday (6 July).
It means nobody other than those named on the order is allowed to enter the premises while it remains in force.
The force said officers will continue carrying out regular patrols in the area to ensure the order is complied with.
The force added it will use all available legal powers to disrupt this type of criminal activity and remain robust in tackling anti-social behaviour linked to it.
The closure follows an operation on Monday in which officers, supported by Trading Standards, searched the premises after receiving intelligence about the suspected sale of illegal goods.
During the search, around £10,000 worth of counterfeit and illicit tobacco products were seized. Officers also recovered a machete from the property.
A vehicle linked to the business was later stopped by the Roads Policing Unit, where further counterfeit tobacco products were discovered and seized.
One man was arrested on suspicion of selling goods with packaging bearing a sign identical to, or likely to be mistaken for, a registered trademark.
He has since been released on bail while the investigation continues.
Wiltshire Police previously said this type of criminal activity has a significant impact on the community, puts people’s health and welfare at risk, and affects both the local and national economy.
Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity is urged to report it to police, with the force saying all information received helps tackle this type of criminal activity.
