Thousands of illegal cigarettes and a haul of counterfeit goods have been seized in a joint enforcement operation in Kirklees.
Officers from West Yorkshire Police, working alongside Trading Standards, carried out targeted activity in the Kirklees Rural area this month following intelligence and community reports.
The operation involved neighbourhood policing teams and licensing officers, supported by a trained detection dog used to identify hidden stashes.
At a premises in Meltham, officers recovered just under 2,000 counterfeit cigarettes, along with 36 oversized vapes and 79 packets of shisha tobacco. In addition, 135 counterfeit children’s Labubu dolls were seized.
Authorities said the fake toys posed potential safety risks, as counterfeit versions are often poorly manufactured and may not comply with UK safety standards, including those designed to prevent choking hazards.
Investigations into the supply chain behind the illicit tobacco products are ongoing.
Police and Trading Standards stressed that the seizure highlights the broader impact of illegal tobacco on legitimate retailers. PC Jessica Addy of the Kirklees Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team said the trade in counterfeit cigarettes not only undermines law-abiding businesses but is frequently linked to organised crime.
“The sale of illegal and counterfeit cigarettes has a serious impact on our communities,” she said. “Profits generated are often linked to organised crime groups. Money made from illicit tobacco doesn’t just disappear – it is frequently reinvested into wider criminal activity that harms our neighbourhoods. This can include drug supply, exploitation, and other forms of serious organised crime.”
Linda Davis, head of Trading Standards (Protecting Communities), highlighted the wider economic and social consequences of the illegal tobacco market.
“Far from being a victimless crime, the illegal trade in tobacco costs government billions each year in lost revenue, makes it easier for children to start smoking, takes advantage of cash-strapped families, and helps fund organised crime,” she said, urging continued reporting from the public.
Sergeant Richard Hamer of Kirklees Rural NPT added that partnership working between police, Trading Standards and local communities remains key to tackling the issue. He also pointed to the growing prevalence of counterfeit consumer goods alongside illicit tobacco.
“Fake Labubu toys have been widely seized in other parts of the UK and are frequently not made to the quality of regulated goods,” he said. “They can be poorly made, use unsafe parts and pose a choking risk to children.”
Retailers are increasingly being reminded of the importance of due diligence in sourcing stock, as enforcement agencies continue to target both the supply and retail ends of the illicit trade.
Police are encouraging anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco or counterfeit goods to come forward, as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt organised criminal networks operating in local communities.