Tobacco crime – not to be sniffed at!
Thousands of packets of illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco have been seized by Telford & Wrekin Council’s Trading Standards officers.
It’s among more than 5.5 million illegal cigarettes and 645 kg of hand rolling tobacco seized within the Central England Trading Standards Authorities (CEnTSA) in the last financial year.
The total retail value of the illegal goods is estimated to be worth in excess of £2.5 million, with a loss to the taxpayer of over £2m.
The seizures were often well hidden, in sophisticated concealments using electronic magnets controlled by a switch, cavity walls and one seizure was disguised as BBQ sets. Such hiding places are difficult to detect without the aid of specialist tobacco sniffer dogs.
All offending businesses are subject to a criminal investigation, with some traders already being successfully prosecuted. Some have received financial penalties, others, suspended prison sentences and community orders.
In addition, some shops have had their alcohol licences suspended or revoked for dealing with illegal tobacco products.
Councillor Richard Overton, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for enforcement said: “Far from being a victimless crime, illegal tobacco trade creates a cheap source for children and young people.
“Our enforcement officers in Telford and Wrekin are regularly involved in operations.
“Currently we are investigating recent seizures of thousands of packs of cigarettes and handrolling tobacco in the borough.
“While all tobacco is harmful, the illegal tobacco market, and in particular the availability of cheap cigarettes, makes it harder for smokers to quit and remain smoke free.”
Bob Charnley, Chairman of CEnTSA said ‘‘More and more people over the past few years have decided enough is enough and are providing information to Trading Standards, to stop local criminals selling and distributing illegal tobacco. Combating illegal tobacco has become an increasing priority for Trading Standards.
“The illegal tobacco trade has strong links with crime and criminal gangs, including drug dealing, money laundering, people trafficking and even terrorism. Selling illegal tobacco is a crime.”
Illegal tobacco products can usually be easily recognised. They will be very cheap, often less than half the price of legitimate packets and often have foreign writing on them.
Anyone being offered cheap tobacco or any other types of illicit goods should report it to Trading Standards by calling the CEnTSA’s confidential fakes hotline on 0300 303 2636.
