Operation clamps down on illegal tobacco trade

Officers and customs officials seized a significant number of cigarettes, tobacco and other items in a multi-agency operation targeting criminality and exploitation in North Somerset.

Avon and Somerset Police, North Somerset Council’s Trading Standards officials and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customers (HMRC) visited 13 retailers in Portishead, Yatton, Nailsea and Weston-super-Mare over two days of action last week (11-12 August).

The retailers, a mixture of convenience stores and barber shops, were targeted with support from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) and nearly 1,100 packets of cigarettes and 18.4kg of tobacco were seized for either being counterfeit or because no duty has been paid.

The items were detected by a Trading Standards’ tobacco detection dog, which also prompted the searches of vehicles associated with criminality.

Toys and a number of e-cigarettes were also seized in the operation which was also supported by the Food Standards Agency, Avon Fire and Rescue Service and the Department for Work and Pensions.

The seizures resulted in an estimated loss to those selling the items at around £44,230, which had an estimated retail value of over £110,000 if sold legitimately.

A man has been arrested and bailed on suspicion of supplying counterfeit good while enquiries continue.

Home Office officials also arrested and bailed a man on suspicion of immigration offences.

Neighbourhood Sgt Joshua Osborne, who has been involved in the operation, said: “This was a hugely successful operation supported by a number of key agencies targeting businesses which are suspected to be involved in criminality and exploitation.

“This demonstrates how we continue to work alongside our partners in our communities, to ensure businesses are operating safely, legally, and are not putting members of the public at risk.

“Retailers being involved in criminality is not an issue exclusive to North Somerset, but it is nonetheless a problem we continue to hear concerns about from members of the public, who we urge to continue to report issues like this so we can take the appropriate, robust action needed to bring offenders to justice.”

Councillor James Clayton, North Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, Sport and Pride in Place programme, said: “The sale of illegal tobacco undermines legitimate businesses, funds criminal activity and makes tobacco products more accessible. Operations like this demonstrate the value of working together and we will continue to work closely with Avon and Somerset Police and other partners to disrupt the illegal tobacco trade and protect consumers and honest businesses across North Somerset.”

Ben Hayes, regional lead for tobacco and vapes at Trading Standards South West (TSSW) said: “The operation marked a significant haul and demonstrates just how effective partnership working is. Illegal tobacco is often sold to children at pocket money prices with little regard to age verification.  Money generated from these sales is used to fund other criminal activity, which has a negative impact on our community.”