Bournemouth, Crime | Posted on February 2nd, 2026 | return to news

Bournemouth mini markets closed for selling illegal tobacco and vapes

Trading Standards officers at BCP Council secured closures against Triangle Mini Market and Kingston Market.

Two shops in Bournemouth have been closed temporarily after they were found to be selling illegal tobacco and vapes.

Trading Standards officers at BCP Council were granted closure orders by the court against Triangle Mini Market at 160 Commercial Road and Kingston Market at 2 The Triangle. These orders require the premises to remain closed for three months, the maximum period allowed in law, preventing further illegal trading and protecting the public.

This enforcement action demonstrates BCP Council’s ongoing commitment, alongside its partner agencies, to disrupt the illegal tobacco and vape trade and prevent organised criminal gangs from profiting within the local community.

Illegal tobacco and vapes are unregulated, often contain unsafe ingredients, and pose serious health risks, particularly to young people.

The closures follow a major crackdown during last summer, in which nearly £1 million worth of counterfeit goods was seized across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Cllr Kieron Wilson, BCP Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Trading Standards, said: “The sale of illicit tobacco and vapes is closely linked to organised crime groups, which bring fear, violence and harm to our communities. These closures send a clear message that this illegal activity undermines legitimate businesses, puts people at risk, and will not be tolerated.

“We’re committed to keeping the BCP area safe, vibrant and welcoming for everyone. Taking decisive action like this helps build confidence, protect people from harm, and supports our wider work to reimagine our town centres as places that everyone can enjoy.

“Our Trading Standards team, working closely with partner agencies, remains resolute in tackling this unlawful trade. We will continue to investigate, enforce and take robust action to safeguard our communities and uphold the law.”

During the enforcement activity in the summer of last year, BCP Council’s Trading Standards team, working with partner agencies, took the following actions:

Confiscated over 700,000 cigarettes, 3,703 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco, and nearly 10,000 illegal vapes.
Seized approximately £7,000 in cash under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, believed to be profits from the sale of illicit products.
Impounded two vehicles used to store illegal goods and raided a shipping container site where further illicit items were discovered.

The seized tobacco and vapes had an estimated street value of £870,000, representing a £450,000 loss in revenue to the UK Government.

Cheap, illegal tobacco and vapes are often easily accessible to young people. Profits from their sale are known to fund serious organised crime, including drug trafficking, modern slavery and people smuggling. Young people are put at greater risk when exposed to individuals involved in these criminal networks.

BCP Council Trading Standards continues to receive high levels of intelligence from the public, highlighting strong community concern. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Reports can be made anonymously.