Illegal tobacco products with an estimated street value of £61,000 have been seized as part of a major crackdown in Barnet.
Trading standards officers from Barnet Council confiscated thousands of illicit goods on Oct 16, using sniffer dogs to find products that had been concealed in hideaways within shops.
The operation targeted products that failed to comply with UK regulations, including duty-evaded, foreign-labelled and counterfeit goods. These are sold at a significantly reduced rate, making them more attractive to children and adults – particularly during difficult financial times.
Officers seized 2,634 packets of cigarettes, 199 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco and 1,513 vapes, with a total estimated street value of £61,000. While carrying out the searches, officers also seized a huge haul of counterfeit clothing which they expect could double that amount.
Councillor Barry Rawlings, Leader of Barnet Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Partnerships, Economy and Effective Council, said, “We will support businesses that obey the law but take tough action against those who don’t.
“There is no excuse for selling products that can be harmful, deprive the public purse of revenue, and are often linked to a global system of profiteering and exploitation. We’re determined to stop this trade in Barnet and are working closely with the government and law enforcement agencies to do so.”
The seized products were taken to a secure location and will be used in evidence-gathering for possible legal proceedings before being destroyed.
Those caught selling illegal tobacco products could face a maximum penalty of an unlimited fine and a two-year prison sentence. Trading standards will also consider forcing businesses that persistently break the law to close for three to six months and could look to recover rents obtained through criminal gain.
The seizures were carried out under Operation CeCe – a government strategy to disrupt every aspect of the illegal tobacco market, from front-line retailers to global organised crime groups that drive the trade. Trading standards officers are working closely with law enforcement agencies and other partners to carry out the operation, which is funded by HM Revenue and Customs.
