Illicit cigarettes and tobacco worth over £16,000 have been seized from three shops after Durham County Council’s Trading Standards carried out a crackdown operation in Spennymoor, Bishop Auckland and the surrounding area with the support of Durham Constabulary.
As a result, cigarettes, tobacco and vapes were seized from the shops and from a vehicle suspected to be linked to a fourth shop. In total, 298 packs of cigarettes, 11.5kg of hand-rolling tobacco and 535 vapes with a combined value on the legitimate market of over £16,000 were seized. Cash totalling £3,926.06, suspected to be the proceeds of crime, were also seized from one of the premises.
Gary Carr, Durham County Council’s strategic regulation manager, said: “Illegal cigarettes, tobacco, and vapes have serious negative impacts on our communities. Not only does this attract crime to neighbourhoods and make it easier for children to access age-restricted products, it also adversely affects compliant businesses by taking away their revenue. The illicit trade has links to organised crime, including people trafficking and terrorism. It also takes away tax revenues that are needed to support public services.
“Whilst we are taking significant action to crack down on the sale of illicit products, we need the public’s help and intelligence to identify places that are selling these items. We would encourage anyone who suspects they know about the sale of illegal products to let us know. We would also appeal to consumers not to buy illicit products and think about the impact that their spending can have.”
Information about illicit tobacco can be given anonymously, either by calling 0300 999 000 or clicking here.
The public can also follow the work of Durham County Council’s Trading Standards team on Facebook.
Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
