£100K Worth of Illegal Cigarettes and Vapes Seized in Preston Crackdown
The haul was uncovered during raids on storage units in Ribbleton and Deepdale, as part of a major crackdown on organised crime.
A major haul of illegal cigarettes and vapes—worth around £100,000—has been seized in Preston as part of a joint operation to tackle organised crime.
The raids, carried out by the Prosper Partnership alongside Preston Neighbourhood Police, Lancashire Trading Standards, and HMRC, targeted five storage units in the Ribbleton and Deepdale areas.
Among the finds: 171,000 packs of illegal cigarettes and £5,000 worth of illegal vapes—some of which could have ended up in the hands of children.
Inspector Dave Byrne said:
“This has been a really successful operation. These items can contain harmful chemicals and have no place on our streets.”
The operation is part of the Clear, Hold, Build strategy—known locally as the Prosper Partnership—designed to disrupt criminal activity and protect local communities.
Councillor Joshua Roberts added:
“We’re taking strong action against businesses that put people’s health at risk. If products don’t meet UK safety standards, we can’t be sure they’re safe to use.”
Anyone with concerns about illegal tobacco or vape sales is urged to contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.