15,000 illegal cigarettes seized in Blackburn trading standards raids

File photo of a pack of cigarettes
-Credit:PA


Raids by Blackburn with Darwen Council enforcement officers netted more than 15,500 illegal cigarettes and 1,800 illicit vapes – some laced with cannabis – in just two months, councillors have been told.

The figures are included in a report to the authority’s Council Forum meeting on Thursday from environment boss Cllr Jim Smith. It said trading standards officers have been working with the police to "actively disrupt the supply of illicit tobacco and vapes", targeting premises in Blackburn and Darwen.

It said the cigarettes and two and a half kilos of illegal hand-rolling tobacco were seized over the the course of "multiple operations" in November and December. Councillors were told the products were often found in hidden locations using a sniffer dog

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The report added: "In addition, over 1,800 illegal vapes have been seized, as well as a quantity of counterfeit clothing.

“Police accompanying trading standards officers made several arrests for drugs offences, including possession for supply of THC vapes (THC is the chemical that gives the ‘high’ effect in cannabis, and is a controlled substance).

"Information about the three premises found to be in possession of illegal tobacco products will be referred to the ‘Track and Trace Scheme’ administered by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs."

Cllr Jim Smith from Blackburn with Darwen Council
Cllr Jim Smith from Blackburn with Darwen Council -Credit:LDRS

It added: “HMRC can impose a financial penalty on businesses found with illicit tobacco. Likely penalties for the amounts of tobacco found in the recent trading standards operations range from £2,500 to £10,000.

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"A licence review has been submitted in relation to one of the offending premises. Enquiries into the other offences are ongoing."

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