Illegal cigarettes and tobacco worth almost £13,000 in Gloucester are off the streets thanks to the efforts of officers from three different teams.
Officers from Gloucestershire County Council’s Trading Standards, HM Revenue & Customs and Gloucestershire Police worked together following reports received from the local community about the sale of cheap tobacco.
On February 7th officers searched several residential houses in Linden and Hempsted, resulting in the recovery.
In total; 59,720 illegal cigarettes and 12.65 kg of hand rolling tobacco, as well as a vehicle which had been used to store the tobacco, were found in the operation. The vehicle was subsequently seized by HM Revenue & Customs.
Cllr Dave Norman, the cabinet member responsible for trading standards, said: “Our trading standards officers continue the fight against illegal tobacco sales.”
“We will not tolerate the sale of illegal tobacco in Gloucestershire which poses a significant risk to public health as well as undercutting legitimate law abiding traders and taking money from the public purse which funds the vital services we all rely on.”
Enquiries will now continue – if anyone has any further information please report it to Trading Standards on 03454 040506. Or you can email tradingstandards@gloucestershire.gov.uk or get in touch anonymously via their website quoting ‘Operation Crab’.