Counterfeit cigarettes and vapes found in trading standards raid

Trading standards officers seized 10,000 illicit cigarettes and a substantial number of illegal vapes after raiding three shops in the East Riding, including one in Driffield.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has not named which shops were targeted, but confirmed premises in Driffield, Beverley and Hornsea were visited by officers, responding to complaints by members of the public.

Officers raided three businesses on 29th July 2024. As well as finding the counterfeit cigarettes and vapes, six kilograms of hand-rolled tobacco was seized.

The council said the items had a street value of thousands of pounds. They were contrary to the Tobacco Related Products Regulations 2016, the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015, and the Trademarks Act 1994.

The raid was part of Operation CeCe, a nationwide initiative aimed at disrupting the sale and distribution of illegal tobacco.

Cllr Leo Hammond, cabinet member for planning, communities and public protection said “East Riding Council is dedicated to supporting communities and ensuring that the East Riding is a good place to live. Illegal tobacco is often part of wider criminality and buying it means supporting organised crime.

“I’m very grateful for the hard work of the officers in this case, and I urge any residents concerned about illicit tobacco to report it immediately”.

Those found guilty of selling illicit tobacco, can face penalties of up to £10,000, a seizure of any tobacco products, a removal of the right to sell tobacco, or a prison sentence. Officers are investigating the offences in this case, and will serve enforcement actions in due course.

Lord Michael Bichard, chair of National Trading Standards, said: “The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law. Having removed 19 million illegal cigarettes and 5,103kg of hand rolling tobacco in 2023-24, Operation CeCe (a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC) has taken £27.2 million pounds worth of illicit tobacco off the market since the operation launched in 2021 and continues to successfully disrupt this illicit trade.”

Residents can report the suspected sale of illicit cigarettes, tobacco and vapes confidentially by calling:

Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 – website www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 – website www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 113 – website www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/