G&G Market, located on High Street in Cradley Heath, is under threat of permanent closure after being caught selling illegal cigarettes, including to a minor, just weeks after opening last November. Authorities have taken swift action against the shop, with Sandwell Council set to review its licence on July 30.
Hozan Sharify, the licence holder, will face the licensing committee where West Midlands Police and Sandwell’s trading standards are demanding the licence be revoked. Earlier this month, Dudley magistrates issued a three-month closure order on the shop following repeated violations.
West Midlands Police revealed that despite multiple seizures of illegal cigarettes, tobacco products, and prescription-only medicines, the shop continued its illicit activities. Disturbingly, the shop even sold illegal cigarettes to an undercover child, showing blatant disregard for the law.
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The police emphasized the wider dangers posed by illicit tobacco sales, linking the trade to organized crime, human trafficking, immigration offenses, exploitation, tax evasion, and money laundering. Besides legal issues, these products threaten public health and place vulnerable young people at risk.
Sandwell’s trading standards supported calls to revoke the licence, highlighting multiple successful attempts to purchase illegal goods from the premises. Their report underlined concerns dating back to December 2023, shortly after the shop opened, with evidence that the venue’s primary function is the illegal supply of cigarettes and tobacco. Concealment strategies and absence of legitimate tobacco products further reinforced their conclusion.
This marks the fourth shop closure in Cradley Heath in recent weeks as part of Sandwell Council’s intensified crackdown. Earlier, Cradley Market was shuttered for three months after being caught selling a range of illicit drugs and prescription medicines over the counter.
The escalating enforcement reflects local authorities’ commitment to tackling illegal trade and protecting community health and safety.