A major enforcement operation in Dagenham has resulted in more than £22,700 worth of illegal tobacco, vapes and shisha products being removed from circulation.
The action, carried out last week as part of Operation CeCe, targeted shops suspected of selling illicit products following proactive intelligence gathering by the council’s Trading Standards team.
Trading Standards Officers, supported by a specialist tobacco-detection dog, inspected five premises - all of which were found to be selling illegal products. Items seized included 22,500 tobacco sticks, 115 nicotine pouches, 33 packs of 50g hand-rolling tobacco, 10.3kg of shisha and 13 illegal vapes.
The total value of seized goods is estimated at £22,765.
Illegal tobacco was found deliberately concealed within the shops, but the combination of intelligence-led inspections and detection dogs enabled officers to uncover products that might otherwise go unnoticed.
The illicit tobacco trade is frequently linked to wider criminal activity, including organised crime groups, modern slavery and illegal immigration. Removing these items from the supply chain helps protect consumers, safeguard legitimate businesses, and disrupt criminal networks.
Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “This successful operation sends a clear message that illegal tobacco and related products will not be tolerated in our borough. These goods are often tied to serious and organised crime, and they undermine both public health and legitimate local traders.
“Our Trading Standards team will continue to work proactively, using intelligence and specialist tools to protect residents from harm.”
The businesses involved now face further investigation, potential prosecution, and possible closure orders.