Trading Standards teams across England have stepped up their crackdown on illicit tobacco and vape sales, with recent operations in Northamptonshire and Shropshire uncovering thousands of illegal products, illegal cigarettes hidden behind secret compartments.
In West Northamptonshire, a multi-agency operation involving Trading Standards and Neighbourhood Wardens led to visits to three shops in Northampton and Daventry, where illegal tobacco and vape products were seized from every premises inspected.
Officers uncovered sophisticated hidden storage areas in two of the shops, including one concealed behind an electric-powered wall and another hidden behind hinged shelving.
In total, enforcement teams seized 616 packets of illicit cigarettes, 26 pouches (1.3kg) of illegal hand-rolling tobacco and 26 illegal vapes.
The cigarettes and tobacco comprised a mix of foreign-labelled products intended for sale in overseas markets with no UK excise duty paid, counterfeit tobacco and so-called 'cheap white' cigarettes, none of which comply with British safety standards.
The confiscated vapes were also illegal under the UK's single-use vape ban introduced in June last year. All seized items will be destroyed.
Commenting on the Northamptonshire operation, Cllr Andrew Last, Cabinet Member for HR, Corporate and Regulatory Services, said: "This operation is part of sustained efforts to stamp out the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes that not only expose local communities to harmful substances but also undermines legitimate local businesses.
"Our Trading Standards teams will continue to work closely with the police and other partners to take firm, coordinated action against anyone who chooses to break the law and put the public at risk."
Meanwhile, in Shropshire, officers from Whitchurch Safer Neighbourhood Team joined Trading Standards in carrying out a raid on a High Street premises following intelligence that illicit tobacco was being sold from the store.
During the search, officers discovered 692 packs of cigarettes and 220 packs of hand-rolling tobacco, with an estimated street value of £8,992, West Mercia Police stated on Tuesday (Uune 16).
Investigations remain ongoing, with Trading Standards and HMRC now leading further enquiries.
PC Mark Bates of Whitchurch Safer Neighbourhood Team echoed the warning, saying: "Last week we visited a retailer suspected of selling illicit cigarettes in a joint operation with Trading Standards.
"During our search we discovered almost £9,000 of illegal products within the shop, which have now been recovered by our partners.
"We will continue to target stores suspected of selling counterfeit tobacco to protect our communities from harm and act where appropriate.
"The black market for illegal products undermines legitimate retailers and is often connected to organised criminal gangs and modern-day slavery."
The latest seizures come amid continued nationwide efforts to tackle the illicit tobacco trade, with enforcement authorities warning businesses that selling illegal tobacco can result in penalties of up to £10,000, alongside product seizures, civil sanctions and, in some cases, criminal prosecution.