Investigation underway after illegal tobacco and vapes seized in Staffordshire
An estimated £14,000's worth of the illicit products have been seized
Illegal vapes, illicit tobacco and cigarettes have been seized by Staffordshire County Council officers during raids in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Trading standards officers, supported by police and search dogs, made the discovery during raids at three locations last Monday (23 February).
The items seized had an estimated retail value of £14,000 - including 12,260 illicit cigarettes, 26.2kg of illicit tobacco and 19 illegal vapes.
The shops from which the goods were seized are now under investigation.
This could lead to prosecution, which could force them to close.
Councillor Anthony Screen of Staffordshire County Council said: “This is another successful operation in our battle against the trade.
“These products not only undermine legitimate businesses but pose serious health risks, especially to young people.
"Our enforcement teams are actively cracking down on rogue traders, and anyone caught selling these items will face the full force of the law."
The raids are part of Operation Cece, a joint initiative between National Trading Standards initiative and HMRC which aims to tackle illegal tobacco.
In the past 12 months, more than 377,000 cigarettes, 131 kg of tobacco and 18,000 illegal vapes have been seized in Staffordshire, according to Staffordshire County Council.
Cllr Screen continued: “The sale of illicit tobacco and vapes is not a victimless crime. It fuels organised criminal networks and undermines the safety of our streets. Every illegal product taken off the shelves is a blow to those who profit from exploiting the public.”
Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, said: “The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law.
“Having removed 19 million illegal cigarettes and 5,103kg of hand rolling tobacco in 2023-24, Operation CeCe has taken £27.2 million worth of illicit tobacco off the market since the operation launched in 2021 and continues to successfully disrupt this illicit trade.”