Police uncover 1,228 illegal tobacco products during Preston shop raids

Cigarettes seized by police during the Operation Centurion raids Pic: Preston Police

Illegal cigarettes and vapes worth around £12,000 have been seized by police.,

Preston Police took part in raids during Monday (9 October) with officers from Trading Standards and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

Two shops in the city – which have not been named – had 1,228 of illegal tobacco products uncovered.

£1,000 in cash, believed to be proceeds of crime, was also found.

Police say in one of the premises items were hidden behind a concealed storage compartment which was secured using a remote control magnetic lock.

Cigarettes found within the concealed compartment in one of the shops Pic: Preston Police

Sergeant Roz Walsh, from Preston’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Information from the public is invaluable to the police. Without it, we would be unable to carry out this sort of proactive work which helps to prevent and detect crime, ensuring the safeguarding and protection of our community.”

“This operation demonstrates the strong working relationships that we have with our partners and the commitment we all have to working together to tackle this sort of activity which often leads to anti-social behaviour in the surrounding communities.”

County Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for health and wellbeing said: “Once again, our Trading Standards team have joined forces with Lancashire Constabulary as part of the Operation Centurion initiative.

“During this raid, tobacco and vapes worth £12,000 were found hidden inside a concealed, locked ceiling storage compartment in a sophisticated attempt to evade the law.

“Cheap, illicit tobacco and illegal vapes are all too easily available to purchase and the sale of illegal products has a serious impact on both legitimate businesses, and on our communities.

“Closing off avenues where illicit goods are sold is not just a matter of enforcing the law, it is a way of protecting public health. Our Trading Standards Team will continue to keep seizing illicit tobacco and non-compliant vapes and continue to take enforcement action against rogue traders.”

Anyone with information about illegal tobacco product sales can contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08082231133.