After around 200,000 illegal cigarettes have been seized in Wrexham, the investigation continues as part of Operation Cece, a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC to tackle illegal tobacco.
A Wrexham Trading Standards spokesman said, ‘the seizure of illegal tobacco in Wrexham is part of an ongoing campaign across Wales tackling the supply of cheap illegal tobacco.
“Trading Standards Officers from Wrexham Council, working in partnership with a national specialist Trading Standards team and with North Wales Police on ‘Operation Cece’ targeted a number of premises where illegal tobacco was recovered.
“The most significant haul was found with the assistance of tobacco detection dogs at a self-storage facility in the town.
“Approximately 200,000 cigarettes were seized with a street value of about £50,000. This is a live investigation and enquiries are ongoing.
“Over 5,000 people die every year in Wales of a smoking related disease and 1 in 2 long term smokers will die as a direct consequence of their habit.
“The availability of illegal tobacco in our communities is a significant threat to health.
“It’s low price and availability makes it harder for existing smokers to quit and makes it easier for children to acquire a lifelong addiction.
“All tobacco is harmful but illegal tobacco makes it easier for children to start smoking and get hooked. Sellers rarely care who they sell to.
“Fewer people are buying illegal tobacco and fewer people are now prepared to turn a blind eye to it. People can make a real difference to help keep illegal tobacco off the streets by reporting it. We need to keep up the pressure on those who sell it.”
Illegal tobacco takes several shapes and forms. Sometimes called ‘illicit’ tobacco, it refers to illegal cigarettes and rolling tobacco pouches. The most common forms are:
- Cheap genuine tobacco smuggled into the UK with no-duty paid (packages often display foreign languages and a lack of health warnings).
- Counterfeits or fakes, which look like well-known brands but are made illegally.
- ‘Cheap whites’, which are mass produced in one country and smuggled into another.
- Cigarettes sold individually instead of in packets.
Illegal sellers use many methods to sell illegal tobacco. The most common avenues of selling are:
- shops
- private homes
- pubs and clubs
- social media
- car-boots
- on the street
Suzanne Cass, CEO of ASH Wales, a Welsh tobacco control organisation said: ‘’ Illicit tobacco is a known gateway for life-long addiction, and undermines laws set in place to protect children and the public health of Wales.
‘’Once again Trading Standards have successfully intercepted illicit trading, helping the fight to keep this illicit product off our streets and out of our communities’’.
