Illegal tobacco seized across Tameside

Both Greater Manchester Police and Trading Standards visited businesses across the borough yesterday.

Tameside Council Trading Standards officers visited business premises in Hyde, Stalybridge and Ashton suspected of selling illicit tobacco on Wednesday (7th May).

A large quantity of illicit tobacco was seized by Trading Standards.

Trading Standards worked with the police, and a Wagtails tobacco detection dog and handler, to carry out test purchases across six businesses in the borough, seizing 21 illegal e-cigarettes, 1,555 packets (31,100 sticks) of illegal cigarettes, and 187 pouches of illegal rolling tobacco.

Greater Manchester Police said: "You might think illegal tobacco isn’t a big deal. It’s just cheap cigarettes, or nothing to do with you. But illegal tobacco is behind many of our communities’ problems.

"Organised crime groups are drawn to illegal tobacco because they see fewer risks and easy profits, but people who buy illegal tobacco are, often unknowingly, lining these criminals’ pockets at the expense of local communities."

Cllr Laura Boyle, Tameside Council’s executive member for environmental services and neighbourhoods, said: “The illegal tobacco trade supports crime rings, damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people.

“Trade in illicit tobacco and vapes also costs the country billions of pounds in lost excise duty, which limits the amount of money that can be spent on public services.

“People should know that our officers here at Tameside Council will always take the necessary enforcement action to keep our residents safe and support the vast majority of businesses that comply with the law.”

Investigations are ongoing.

If you suspect that a business is selling illicit tobacco you can report it to Trading Standards at https://orlo.uk/QYO9p

Credit: Greater Manchester Police