Major operation in Kent seizes over 150,000 illegal cigarettes and 75kg of hand-rolling tobacco

One of the biggest ever operations to disrupt the supply of illegal tobacco products in Kent has led to the seizure of 153,200 cigarettes, 75.5kg of hand-rolling tobacco, 163 vapes, and 160 packets of shisha, all of which were illegal.

Kent Trading Standards, working with Kent Police officers, HMRC, and with invaluable assistance from Griff, Bran and Maggie, specially trained tobacco and cash detection dogs, carried out inspections at five retail stores across Maidstone, Sittingbourne and Dover.

Additionally, £10,000 cash was seized from a shop in Maidstone.

The illegal stock had been concealed in sophisticated hides, including a tunnel that officers had to crawl through to locate a stash of illicit tobacco products.

During the operation, additional intelligence led the team to another location, where an additional 60,000 cigarettes and some hand rolling tobacco was also seized.

Detection dog, Griff, helped to locate stashes of illegal tobacco products (Photo: Kent County Council)

“This was a highly successful operation. Our staff, working alongside partner agencies, maximised the effectiveness of the day by targeting illegal tobacco and vapes,” James Whiddett, operations manager for Kent Trading Standards, said.

“The team’s efforts were bolstered by specialist search dogs, capable of locating hidden stashes of illegal tobacco products in shops. By working together, we are making our communities safer by removing these dangerous and illegal products from our high streets.”

Whiddett noted that illicit tobacco causes major detriment to legitimate business, and often has links to other criminality such as anti-social behaviour, money laundering, modern slavery, child exploitation and drugs.

“These shops all follow the same model of purporting to be a small food retailer, with large quantities of bulky, cheap items filling it up,” Whiddett said.

“The items are rarely purchased by customers, but just used as a front for selling large quantities of tobacco or vapes. In most of these shops, there are no attempts made to conceal the illicit tobacco, leaving it largely on display, or under the counter.

“It’s believed that these shops are making thousands of pounds per week from selling this illegal tobacco. The shops are generally cash only businesses, which is then used to fund other criminality and deprives the local economy of legitimate income.”

The illegal stock had been concealed in sophisticated hides. (Photo: Kent County Council)

Kent Police Superintendent Pete Steenhuis said, “By supporting and working with other agencies in operations like this, the impact we can have on disrupting criminality is far greater. The results this time and the discovery of illegal goods in a concealed room just shows the lengths offenders will go to.

“The sale of illicit tobacco and vapes is often connected to the running and financing of organised criminal groups so it is important to stamp out this illegal trade. If left to thrive, it could result in increased criminal activity and associated issues for the wider community.

“If people have any concerns or information that something similar is operating in their neighbourhood I encourage them to report it and help stop the criminals.”

Lord Michael Bichard, Chair, National Trading Standards, said: “The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law. Having removed 19 million illegal cigarettes and 5,103kg of hand rolling tobacco in 2023-24, Operation CeCe (a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC) has taken £27.2 million worth of illicit tobacco off the market since the operation launched in 2021 and continues to successfully disrupt this illicit trade.”

Shops selling illegal tobacco can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via the Stop Illegal Tobacco Hotline www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk 0300 999 6 999.