Durham raids confiscate illegal tobacco from three stores

The operation in Spennymoor, Bishop Auckland and the surrounding area was carried out after intelligence reports, said Durham County Council.

The haul included illicit cigarettes, tobacco and vapes from three stores, as well as from a vehicle suspected to be linked to a fourth store.

In total, officers seized: 298 packs of cigarettes, worth £1,490 to illegal traders; 11.5kg of hand-rolling tobacco to the value of £2,760; and 535 vapes valued at £5,350.

The combined value of these items on the legitimate market is estimated to be more than £16,000.

Gary Carr, Durham County Council’s strategic regulation manager, said: “Illegal cigarettes, tobacco, and vapes have serious negative impacts on our communities.

“Not only does this attract crime to neighbourhoods and make it easier for children to access age-restricted products, it also adversely affects compliant businesses by taking away their revenue.

“The illicit trade has links to organised crime, including people trafficking and terrorism. It also takes away tax revenues that are needed to support public services.

“Whilst we are taking significant action to crack down on the sale of illicit products, we need the public’s help and intelligence to identify places that are selling these items.

“We would encourage anyone who suspects they know about the sale of illegal products to let us know.

“We would also appeal to consumers not to buy illicit products and think about the impact their spending can have.”