Yahoo News Illicit tobacco products worth thousands of pounds seized from two shops in Blackpool
Thousands of counterfeit tobacco products have been seized from two shops by police.
Blackpool’s Neighbourhood Policing Team and Blackpool Council's Trading Standards Service's officers visited premises on Bond Street and Lytham Road in a joint operation. On Bond Street, they found 2,391 packets of cigarettes and 519 pouches of hand rolling tobacco.
All of this had an estimated value of just over £14,000 and were seized from the shop. On Lytham Road, 420 packets of cigarettes and 24 pouches of hand rolling tobacco were also seized.
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These had an estimated value of £2,300. If these products were sold as genuine, they would be worth more than double.
Sergeant Paul Regan, from Blackpool Police, said: "This is another great result working in partnership with Trading Standards. We have a strong relationship with our partners, which allows for all resources to be put to good use to protect vulnerable people and help disrupt the sale of illegal tobacco."
John Blackledge, Blackpool Council Director of Community and Environmental Services, said: “This is a great result for Blackpool’s Council’s Trading Standards team and the Neighbourhood Policing team. Not only is it illegal to sell this tobacco but there is also a high risk of these products causing serious harm to the health of residents and visitors.
“I am delighted at the success of this targeted operation as it sends out a clear message of zero tolerance, and we will vigorously continue to disrupt the sale of these products. Appropriate enforcement action will be taken against anyone involved in the sale and supply of illicit tobacco.”
