Two convenience stores have been allowed to reopen after police seized a considerable number of illegal vapes earlier this month.

Soran Karim, of Romanian and Polish Shop at 116 Manchester Road, and Awder Mahmood of Istanbul Market at 123 Manchester Road, appeared before Swindon Magistrates Court on November 26 following Wiltshire Police's application for a closure order on November 19.

The force applied to the court for permission to enforce a three-month closure order after five people were arrested and £55,000 worth of illicit vapes, tobacco and alcohol were found at three stores on Manchester Road and a property in the Broadgreen area.

Read More: Five arrested and £55,000 of illegal vapes seized in police raid

PC Stacy McGarry, who is part of the Broadgreen policing team, told the court on November 20 that officers had discovered around 300 vapes worth up to £2,000 in Mr Mahmood’s store, as well as two packets of illegal cigarettes in one of the two arrested suspect’s pockets.

Some of the vapes found were advertised as containing more than 15,000 puffs, despite the puff limit for disposable vapes being 600.

Following this hearing, Mr Karim and Mr Mahmood sought legal advice, while an interim closure order was in place to prevent either store from trading.

On November 26, Mr Karim agreed that he would allow an open invitation for police to carry out spot checks of the premises, with his defence arguing that the selling of vapes was just a small percentage of his overall business, which serves a “community function” by selling everyday items like bread and baked beans.

However, Romanian and Polish shop will no longer have permission to sell any type of vaping products, but no closure order was enforced and Mr Karim can open the shop back up.

Read More: Shops closed over organised crime fears after illegal vapes seized

Meanwhile, the closure order application for Istanbul Market was also withdrawn and Mr Mahmood will be allowed to sell vaping products under strict guidance from Trading Standards to ensure they are legal.

PC Butwell, representing Wiltshire Police, said the force were content to withdraw the application for closure orders on both premises on the condition that both men were clear of the rules they must abide by.

The Magistrate thanked PC Butwell for dealing with the case “pragmatically” and “graciously” and added that it was a “sensible decision” to come to a binding agreement with the shop owners.

Kubis Polski Sklep at 127A Manchester Road, was also shut down and the court approved a three-month closure order on November 20.

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