Police operation in North Somerset uncovers counterfeit goods
Illegal cigarettes and tobacco seized from local retailers
Officers and customs officials seized nearly 1,100 packets of cigarettes and 18.4kg of tobacco in North Somerset during a recent multi-agency operation.
The operation targeted criminality and exploitation and was conducted by Avon and Somerset Police, North Somerset Council's Trading Standards officials, and His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Over two days, teams visited 13 retailers across Portishead, Yatton, Nailsea, and Weston-super-Mare.
The retailers, consisting of convenience stores and barber shops, came under scrutiny with support from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).
The seized items were identified as counterfeit or duty-unpaid, flagged by a Trading Standards' tobacco detection dog.
Vehicles linked to criminality were also searched.
In addition to tobacco products, toys and a number of e-cigarettes were confiscated during the operation, which had assistance from the Food Standards Agency, Avon Fire and Rescue Service, and the Department for Work and Pensions.
The seizures resulted in an estimated financial loss of around £44,230 to those selling the items, with a legitimate retail value of over £110,000.
A man has been arrested and bailed on suspicion of supplying counterfeit goods.
Home Office officials also arrested and bailed another man on suspicion of immigration offences.
Neighbourhood Operations
Neighbourhood Sgt Joshua Osborne expressed the success of the operation:
“This was a hugely successful operation supported by a number of key agencies targeting businesses which are suspected to be involved in criminality and exploitation."
Sgt Osborne emphasised ongoing collaboration with community partners:
"Retailers being involved in criminality is not an issue exclusive to North Somerset, but it is nonetheless a problem we continue to hear concerns about from members of the public, who we urge to continue to report issues like this so we can take the appropriate, robust action needed to bring offenders to justice.”
Council Support
Councillor James Clayton described the detrimental impacts of illegal tobacco sales:
“The sale of illegal tobacco undermines legitimate businesses, funds criminal activity and makes tobacco products more accessible.”
He reiterated the importance of operations like this to disrupt the illegal trade.
Trading Standards Insights
Ben Hayes from Trading Standards South West highlighted the effectiveness of partnership working:
"Illegal tobacco is often sold to children at pocket money prices with little regard to age verification."
Investigations into the offences are ongoing.
Information regarding illegal tobacco, vapes, or underage sales can be reported to Citizens Advice at 0808 223 1133 or anonymously to Trading Standards South West via their website.