Trading Standards seize illicit goods

Trading Standards seize illicit goods

On 23^rd September, Conwy Trading Standards with the assistance of North Wales Police, Immigration Enforcement, Wagtail Detection Dog and officers from Operation CeCe* carried out inspections of three business premises and one dwelling in the Conwy County area. 

All four premises have been supplying illicit and unsafe cigarettes and tobacco as well as illegal vapes to adults and children.

During the inspections extremely advanced and purpose built concealments were found where the illegal and unsafe tobacco and vapes where kept.  All of the products identified as illicit (worth approximately £46,000) have been seized and investigations are ongoing.

In total, across the four premises, the following was seized:

• 834 packets (16,680 cigarettes) of illicit and unsafe tobacco
• 29.25Kg (585 pouches) of illicit and unsafe hand rolling tobacco
• 1,353 illegal and unsafe vapes

Whilst Trading Standards appreciate that at times the perception is that the only person losing out is the tax man, nothing could be further from the truth.  This illegal trade in tobacco products and vapes has a direct impact on local businesses who are selling legitimate products.  The people involved with the sale and supply of illicit and unsafe products are happy to sell products to very young children, close down and destroy legitimate local business, and are almost always involved in modern day slavery, Child Sexual Exploitation, and serious organised crime.

There are also the additional safety concerns about this trade. Legitimate tobacco products and vapes have to undergo rigorous testing and they include additional safety features.  With the illicit products none of this happens, and products have been known to be extremely dangerous to people’s immediate health.

Trading Standards are asking anyone that has information about people selling cheap cigarettes or hand rolling tobacco to contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

*Operation CeCe: Regional Investigation Team, funded by HMRC and National Trading Standards - their remit is to gather intelligence in relation to illicit tobacco, and to assist local authorities with cases as above.