Southend-on-Sea City Council has seized illegal cigarettes, illicit tobacco products and non-compliant vapes during a series of enforcement operations targeting rogue retailers across the city.
The council's Trading Standards team, working alongside Essex Police and specialist tobacco detection dog teams, carried out a number of planned operations at convenience stores, vape shops and barbershops in central Southend.
The raids resulted in the seizure of counterfeit and non-duty paid ("smuggled") cigarettes, illegal tobacco products and a quantity of banned disposable vaping devices.
The council said the illicit products are often sold at significantly lower prices than legitimate goods, posing increased risks to public health while undercutting compliant retailers.
Councillor Irene Ferguson, cabinet member for housing and preventing homelessness, whose portfolio includes regulatory services, said the seizures reflected the authority's commitment to tackling illegal trading.
"These seizures demonstrate our commitment to protecting residents, supporting local businesses and tackling illegal trading in Southend," Ferguson said.
"Illegal tobacco and non-compliant vaping products can present serious risks to health and safety. They also create unfair competition for businesses that play by the rules.
"I would like to thank our Trading Standards officers, Essex Police and specialist detection teams for their continued work. We will continue to take firm action against those who break the law while helping businesses to comply with regulations and keeping Southend safe."
The council also highlighted the wider criminality associated with the illicit tobacco and vape trade, citing concerns raised by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute that organised crime groups use retail premises to facilitate offences including human trafficking, modern slavery and child exploitation.
Southend Trading Standards said it will continue carrying out planned and unannounced inspections, providing regulatory advice to businesses while seizing illegal goods and pursuing enforcement action against repeat offenders. Sanctions available include fines, closure orders and criminal prosecutions.
The latest operation forms part of ongoing efforts by local authorities across the UK to disrupt the illicit tobacco and vape market, which continues to impact legitimate retailers through unfair competition and the sale of non-compliant products.