Thousands of pounds worth of illegal tobacco found hidden in deep fat fryer of Medway shop
Joint operation uncovers 1.5mil illegal cigarettes and 1000 illegal vapes
Almost one and a half million illegal cigarettes and other tobacco products have been seized from a shop in Medway during a collaborative operation involving Kent Trading Standards, the police, and Medway Council.
The authorities also discovered 150 kilograms of hand-rolling tobacco and 1,000 illegal vapes during the raid.
In total, the illegal goods are valued at six hundred and fifty thousand pounds.
Many items were hidden, with tobacco found stuffed inside a deep fat fryer.
Illegal Tobacco Concerns
Illegal tobacco products can include smuggled genuine items, counterfeit goods, and brands with no legal market presence in the UK.
These items evade taxes and duties and frequently lack the required health warnings.
Illegal processes can also involve selling to those under age.
Individuals involved in the distribution of these illegal items could face prosecution and fines reaching up to £10,000 pounds.
Alex Paterson, a Medway councillor, emphasised the importance of enforcing tobacco sales laws.
He said, "A shop selling illegal tobacco may also partake in other illegal activities or lack diligence in who they sell to."
Paterson highlighted the significance from a public health standpoint in Medway of ensuring tobacco sales laws are properly upheld.