Trading Standards Operation uncovers illegal tobacco and cash haul in Blackburn

A Trading Standards operation targeting specific businesses and residential homes took place last week, leading to a significant seizure of illegal products.  

Acting on intelligence gathered over the course of a year, officers executed warrants at three residential properties, two business premises, and a car park on Tuesday 10 June. The operation was undertaken with the support of Lancashire Police, HMRC, a financial advisor and a detection dog.

Part of an ongoing effort to crack down on the illegal tobacco trade and associated criminal activity in the area, this is the second operation of its type to take place in two weeks.

The operation was filmed and can be viewed on our YouTube channel.

During the raids, officers discovered:

• £35,000 in cash
• 36,000 illicit cigarettes
• 30 kilograms of hand-rolling tobacco 
• 500 illegal vapes

HMRC estimated that there was £60,000 to £70,000 worth of unpaid tax from the illegal products that were found, as they weren’t bought legitimately.

All items were seized and are now being processed as part of the investigation.

Councillor Jim Smith, Executive Member for Environment and Communities said:

This operation is the result of meticulous planning and intelligence gathering by our excellent officers.

It’s so important that we continue to disrupt the supply of these illegal products, not only to protect businesses who trade lawfully, but also to ensure that these products don’t get into the hands of children; as sellers do not care who they sell to.

I’d like to thank the officers for their hard work and look forward to seeing justice served to the people behind these illegal products.

The investigation is ongoing, and potential outcomes include prosecution and imprisonment for those involved.

We ask businesses in Blackburn with Darwen to always trade fairly and legally and source their stock from legitimate, well-known suppliers. If they have any queries with regards to the legality of any products that they intend to stock, our Trading Standards team can advise businesses for free on this matter. Please call 01254 585585 and ask for Trading Standards.

Should consumers become aware of illicit products being made available in our borough, they can report it online, or call Citizens Advice, for free on 0808 223 1133.

To watch the video of this operation and others, visit our YouTube channel.