Key Summary
Major raids in Blackburn and Bognor in the past recent days have uncovered tens of thousands in illegal tobacco, vapes, and unpaid tax, sparking ongoing investigations.
In Blackburn, Trading Standards officers have seized £35,000 in cash, 36,000 illicit cigarettes, 30kg of illegal hand-rolling tobacco, and 500 vapes in a major crackdown on the illegal trade of nicotine products.
The coordinated raids, carried out on June 10 across three homes, two business premises, and a car park, followed a year-long intelligence operation.
Lancashire Police, HMRC, a financial investigator, and a detection dog supported the operation. HMRC estimates the haul represents £60,000 to £70,000 in unpaid duty.
“This operation is the result of meticulous planning and intelligence gathering by our excellent officers,” said Councillor Jim Smith, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for environment and communities.
“Disrupting the supply of illegal products is vital—not only to protect law-abiding businesses but also to safeguard children, as these sellers don't care who they sell to.”
All goods have been seized as part of the ongoing investigation, with prosecution and imprisonment among the potential outcomes for those involved.
Meanwhile in Sussex, police officers seized hundreds of illegal cigarettes, tobacco and vapes from a man preparing to sell the goods illegally in Bognor Town Centre.
The man was seen unloading the goods from a vehicle, officers approached him and successfully confiscated all of the merchandise, Sussex Police stated. He was reported to licensing teams.
This is one of a number of seizures made by Sussex Police in partnership with Trading Standards to crack-down on illegal trade in the area.
Officers have seized over 64,000 illegal cigarettes and over 14kg of illicit tobacco from sellers in Bognor Town Centre since 19 May this year.
