Illegal e-cigarettes, cigarettes and tobacco has been located following a multi-agency operation in Stoke-on-Trent.
Staffordshire Police, Stoke-on-Trent City Council Trading Standards and the UK Border Agency attended three premises in Stoke and Shelton on December 9.
Illegal tobacco was found at two of these premises.
In total, around 2,000 packets of illegal cigarettes, 6kg of hand rolling tobacco and 17 tubs of foreign-labelled chewing tobacco were seized.
Fifty-six illegal e-cigarettes (vapes) were also seized as they did not have the correct health warnings and the tank sizes exceeded the legal maximum.
Two civil penalty notices were also issued by Immigration on individuals who had no right to work in the UK.
PC Dan Hill at Staffordshire Police, said:
“We worked with Stoke-on-Trent City Council Trading Standards and the UK Border Agency officers to seize the cigarettes and tobacco. We’re committed to working in partnership to stopping this illegal trade.”
“We will always take action against anyone found to be involved in the storage, distribution or supply of illegal tobacco. It’s another great result for us and also working alongside Stoke=on-Trent City Council Trading Standards and the UK Border Agency. The message is clear – you will face consequences if you deal in these illegal products.”
