Thousands of pounds worth of illegal tobacco has been seized after raids were carried out on premises in Swindon this week.
In a significant move against the illicit tobacco trade, authorities in Swindon have joined forces to confiscate illegal tobacco, shisha, and vapes with an estimated value of £40,000.
The operation was spearheaded by Trading Standards, with valuable support from HMRC and collaboration with Wiltshire Police, along with the assistance of three specially trained tobacco detection dogs.
Councillor Jim Grant, Swindon Borough’s Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Joint Working, said: “We are determined to tackle the illegal tobacco trade as a Council and this latest operation has sadly highlighted that it remains a problem in Swindon.
“Illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes are not only really harmful to people’s heath, the money raised from the sale of such products often helps fund criminal gangs. This is unacceptable.
“I’d like to thank our partners at HMRC and Wiltshire Police for their continued support, as well as the local community who are our eyes and ears on the ground and supply us with invaluable information as we continue to tackle this problem.”
Illegal tobacco can be broadly categorised into three distinct types, each with its own characteristics and implications:
Counterfeit Tobacco: These deceptive products masquerade as established and renowned brands. Despite their claims, they are nothing more than counterfeit imitations.
Non-duty Paid Tobacco: This variant comprises legitimate tobacco that has been procured at a low cost from abroad, subsequently imported into the UK, and sold at a fraction of the prevailing retail price.
Unknown Brands for the Illicit Market: Crafted exclusively for the black market, these unregulated brands often remain obscure and unverified.
A cardinal rule of thumb is that if tobacco is priced unusually low, it is very likely to be illegal and connected to illicit activities.
Maintaining a vigilant stance against such illegal activities, Trading Standards actively encourages the public to report any information pertaining to the sale and distribution of illicit tobacco.
Ben Hayes, Trading Standards Illegal tobacco regional lead, saying: “The sale and supply of illegal tobacco funds serious and organised crime in and around your community, and people must think beyond it being a tax issue.
“All tobacco is dangerous, however, some illegal cigarettes do not comply with safety laws and fail to extinguish if left unattended. This could increase the risk of a fire at home.
“The availability of cheap illegal tobacco also creates an unfair advantage to legitimate businesses. Don’t be part of the problem, be part of the solution and report illegal tobacco sales.”
