Crime

Illicit tobacco dealers targeted

Officers visited locations in Dover and Thanet over a two-day period as part of the ongoing national initiative to crack down on the illicit trade.

Thousands of illegal cigarettes and hundreds of illicit vapes were seized by Kent Trading Standards and Kent Police in the latest operation to tackle the unlawful tobacco trade in the county.

Officers visited locations in Dover and Thanet over a two-day period as part of the ongoing national initiative to crack down on the illicit trade – Operation CeCe.

Working in partnership with HMRC, a multi-agency team visited four retail premises and two private residences and searched two vehicles where, in total, they recovered approximately 15,400 cigarettes, 10kg of hand-rolling tobacco, and 400 illegal vapes.

In addition, three mobile phones were seized along with a vehicle that had been storing tobacco. One person was arrested for questioning.

Clive Phillips, Operations Manager for Kent County Council Trading Standards, said: “The sale of illicit tobacco brings organised crime into communities and undermines local legitimate businesses. It also makes smoking more affordable for young people and those attempting to quit.

“We will work with our enforcement partners using all available tactics to disrupt this activity and protect the safety and rights of the residents and businesses of Kent.”

Inspector of Dover Community Safety Unit, Paul Barrell, added: “Frequently the cash raised from selling illicit tobacco will be used to fund organised criminal groups as they carry out other illegal activities.

“Our officers have a good local knowledge of the communities they patrol and will regularly work with other agencies to gather information and identify offenders in order to deal with this issue robustly.”

Wendy Martin, Director, National Trading Standards, said: “The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law.”