50,000 illegal cigarettes stopped from being sold to smokers in our region
NEARLY 30K OF TOBACCO HAS BEEN REMOVED TOO
NORTH East Lincolnshire Council has seized more than 50,000 illegal cigarettes and nearly 30kg of illegal tobacco in the first six months of the year.
The clamp down is part of Operation CeCe, a joint initiative between National Trading Standards and HMRC.
Nationally, there have been more than five million illicit cigarettes seized and over 1,700kg of illegal tobacco removed from the streets.
The operation aims to stop these illegal products reaching retail premises and attempts to disrupt the organised crime groups that drive such trade.
In North East Lincolnshire, 54,640 (2,732 packets) of illegal cigarettes have been taken away as well as 29.8kilos (596 x 50g pouches) of hand rolling tobacco.
Wendy Martin, director of National Trading Standards, said: “Operation CeCe seeks to protect local communities from the harm that the illegal tobacco trade brings.
“Beyond the significant effects of tobacco on people’s health, the illicit tobacco trade is often part of other criminal activity including drug smuggling, people-trafficking and illegal alcohol and DVD production.
“The intended sale price of seized cigarettes is often less than half the cost of legal tobacco. This not only undermines work to reduce the number of people who smoke but also impacts legitimate businesses.
“This operation marks the first collaboration between National Trading Standards and HMRC, and I am delighted that the first six months have been hugely successful in removing a significant amount of illegal tobacco products off our streets and disrupting this illicit trade.”
Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “Each inspection that we carry out disrupts the supply chain.
“These products do not meet safety standards and are putting lives at risk.
“People can make a difference by reporting any suspicions they might have to Trading Standards.
“We need to keep the pressure up on those who sell it.”