Illicit tobacco seized in Staffordshire

Trading Standards officers at Staffordshire County Council have seized illicit cigarettes and tobacco with a retail value of over £50,000.

Officers made the discoveries during raids at a storage unit near Lichfield on Monday 8 April. Over 71,000 cigarettes and Almost 50 kg of Hand rolling tobacco were seized.

Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member responsible for Trading Standards at Staffordshire County Council, said: “Our officers continue to tackle the sale and distribution of illicit tobacco and it’s great to hear about yet another successful operation.

“Officers were alerted to the report and in conjunction with Staffordshire Police discovered significant quantities of counterfeit and illicit items at the premises. Illicit and counterfeit tobacco can have serious health implications.  It is also closely linked to organised crime and harms local communities and legitimate businesses, so removing it from the market is a priority for the service.”

Since April 2021, Trading Standards officers in Staffordshire have seized almost 1.4 million cigarettes and 210 kg of hand rolling tobacco. The seizures have a retail value of around £993,000.

People can report the sale of illegal tobacco on the Trading Standards confidential helpline on 01785330356.