Illegal nicotine products including cigarettes, counterfeit hand rolling tobacco and disposable vapes, which, if sold as genuine, would be worth over £7,000, have been seized in Chorley.
During the recent operation, officers from Chorley’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, along with Trading Standards, seized a total of 515 goods from two shops in the town.
“This operation demonstrates the strong working relationships that we have with our partners and the commitment we all have to working together to tackle this sort of activity which often leads to anti-social behaviour in the surrounding communities,” Inspector Mike Moys, from Chorley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said.
County Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, added: “Our Trading Standards team have undertaken vital work in the community by backing Lancashire Constabulary’s Operation Centurion initiative.
“The items seized in Chorley were a mix of illicit tobacco products, either counterfeit or without health warnings, and illegal vapes.
“The high volume of these products seized by Trading Standards shows just how widespread the illegal trade in these products is, with some unscrupulous retailers deliberately breaking the law.
“These included 42 seizures of tobacco and 76 confiscations of e-cigarettes in 2023.
“Cheap illicit tobacco is readily available to young people and encourages them to smoke, while the sale of illegal products has a serious impact on both legitimate businesses, and on our communities.”
Operation Centurion is Lancashire Police’s response to tackling anti-social behaviour. £2m of funding secured from the government’s Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan will see extra police patrols in areas identified as ASB hotspots, working in conjunction with partner agencies.
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