£14,000 of illegal tobacco seized in latest crackdown

The city council’s trading standards team with partners have carried out an enforcement exercise to tackle the supply of illegal tobacco in Stoke-on-Trent.

This multi-agency operation was carried out on Thursday 19 March. Trading standards worked with Staffordshire Police, and a tobacco detection dog and handler from Wagtail UK.

This local, intelligence-led operation was aimed at disrupting the storage, supply and retail of counterfeit and illicit tobacco products in Stoke-on-Trent.

Overall, five premises were visited - three in Longton and two in Stoke. All have previously sold illegal tobacco.

Tobacco worth £14,000 was seized from two premises. Police also seized a car associated with one of the premises in Longton for no tax and insurance.

The raids formed part of Operation CeCe – a national operation with HMRC and National Trading Standards - to tackle illegal tobacco.

Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride, enforcement and sustainability at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “This operation is a great example of partnership work that is making Stoke-on-Trent a safer place.

“The work carried out by our Trading Standards team and Staffordshire Police sends a clear message – illegal tobacco sales will not be tolerated, and you will face serious consequences.

“Illegal tobacco harms legitimate business and can be linked to wider criminal activity – those storing it will be held accountable. We are committed to making Stoke-on-Trent a fairer, safer city for all.”

Inspector Rebecca Price, of the Stoke-on-Trent south local policing team, said: “We are continuing to work alongside local partners to target the supply of tobacco in Stoke-on-Trent.

“Retailers who do comply with the law are putting local people at risk and such criminality will not be tolerated.

“We will continue to take robust action against those responsible for the supply of illegal goods across Stoke-on-Trent and wider Staffordshire.”

Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, said: “The illicit tobacco trade is driven by organised criminal gangs and poses serious risks to local communities, especially young people.

“Since its launch in January 2021, Operation CeCe – a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC – has removed 69 million illegal cigarettes, 19,750kg of hand-rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, helping to clamp down on this illicit trade and protect communities and honest businesses across the UK.”

Anyone with concerns about illegal tobacco, vapes and underage sales can contact Trading Standards on the hotline at 01782 238884 or visit www.stoke.gov.uk/tradingstandards