Police and Trading Standards find over 90,000 illegal cigarettes in Grimsby shop raid
Vapes, cigarettes and tobacco were found in an empty shop in the town.
Last updated 23rd Dec 2025
Police and Trading Standards have seized over 9,000 illegal cigarettes and other products in a empty Grimsby shop.
Officers from Humberside Police and North East Lincolnshire Council Trading standards team searched the property on Freeman Street after receiving information suggesting that it was being used to store illegal cigarettes, tobacco and vapes.
313 pouches of illicit tobacco, 348 vapes and 93,120 illegal cigarettes were found in all.
So far, Police have not arrested anyone in connection with the raid and investigations are continuing. The legitimate value of the tobacco products is estimated to be around £80,814 with a street value of just over £25,000.
This raid was part of search warrants made across various shops as part of Operation Cece, a nationwide effort to tackle illegal tobacco product sales.
“While it is great to see that we are taking these products off the streets, we understand there is more work to do,” said Councillor Ron Shepherd, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities.
“Operation CeCe and the partnership work with Humberside Police has allowed us to take great steps forward in ensuring these products are less readily available, but that doesn’t mean we stop.
“We know there are more sellers of these products and I want those people to know that our teams will continue with these inspections and to act upon information we receive to ensure the safety of those living in North East Lincolnshire.”
Councillor Stan Shreeve, Portfolio Holder for Health and Adult Social Care, added: “When you buy these products, you could be putting your own health at risk. Not only has no duty been paid on them but they’ve not been tested to ensure they’re safe."
“Additionally, I urge smokers in our region to use the support services on offer to help them to quit smoking."
“We have so many examples of people turning their lives around completely after quitting smoking with support from the Wellbeing Team.”