Leeds shop’s license revoked after illegal tobacco seizure

A shop has been stripped of its license to sell alcohol after cash and illegal tobacco products were seized from a property above the premises.

Councilors heard that police saw two men jump from a window above Gusto Market in Harehills, Leeds, during a recent inspection.

When officers entered the apartment, illegal vapes and cigarettes were found, along with walkie talkies.

The store, on Strathmore Drive, had its license withdrawn following a meeting of Leeds City Council’s licensing sub-committee.

A police report presented to the commission said: “Officers entered the flat and recovered a substantial quantity of illicit and illegal vapes and cigarettes from the flat along with large amounts of cash.

“Evidence in the flat showed that the goods were believed to be stored for Gusto and would be sold in Gusto.

“Walkie talkies were present in both the shop and the apartment, suggesting levels of sophistication and organization to carry out this operation.”

The hearing was told that the sale of illicit alcohol and tobacco was widespread in Harehills, with an officer saying the “dangerous items” were “targeted at the poorest and most vulnerable” and sold at “a price point that children can afford”.

The subcommittee heard that the goods had also been seized on previous visits when the shop was marketed as Baba Jaga 2.

After police requested a license review last October, a new company, Gusto Market Mini Ltd, was set up to run the premises.

Police opposed the name change, their report said, but the board allowed the license transfer at a Dec. 5 hearing.

Monday’s hearing was also told that bottled drinks shaped like guns and male genitalia were on sale during the April visit.

Emilia Slezak, the council’s health improvement specialist, said: “This is not responsible trade.

“It glamorizes firearms and associates the product with violent behavior in an area with already high levels of alcohol-related violence.”