£30,000 Worth of Illicit Tobacco and Cigarettes Confiscated

Illicit tobacco and thousands of cigarettes, with a total retail value exceeding £30,000, have been confiscated. Joint operations were conducted in Blackpool by Lancashire Police and trading standards officers. At a retail premises on Bond Street, 2,391 packets of cigarettes and 519 pouches of tobacco were uncovered. Subsequently, on Lytham Road, officers located 420 packets of cigarettes and 24 pouches of tobacco. John Blackledge, Blackpool Council’s director of community and environmental services, commented: “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.” He added: “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.” Blackledge further stated: “Appropriate enforcement action will be taken against anyone involved in the sale and supply of illicit tobacco.”