Bedford Borough Council's Trading Standards Officers have successfully seized over 23,000 illegal cigarettes from various retail premises between June and September this year, with a staggering street value of £150,000.
The most recent operation, conducted on Wednesday 27 September, involved the use of specially trained tobacco detection dogs alongside Licensing Officers from Bedfordshire Police and the Borough Council’s Licensing Compliance team. Seizures were made from two businesses in Queens Park, where the illegal tobacco was concealed in sophisticated hidden compartments within the shops. Nearly 20,000 cigarettes were confiscated during this operation.
These rogue retailers are now facing the consequences of their illegal activities. In addition to the confiscated goods, these stores will also be subjected to further enforcement actions that could include prosecution, applications for the removal of their premises licenses that allow them to sell alcohol, and referrals to HM Revenue & Customs who can issue fines of up to £10,000.
This decisive action was executed under Operation CeCe, a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HM Revenue & Customs, aimed at curbing the illegal tobacco trade. The names of these businesses cannot be shared until formal action, such as a prosecution or licensing hearing, has been successful.
Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, emphasised the impact of this initiative, stating, "The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law.
“Having removed 27 million illegal cigarettes, 7,500kg of hand-rolling tobacco, and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, the National Trading Standards initiative, in partnership with HM Revenue & Customs, continues to successfully disrupt this illicit trade."
Councillor Phillippa Martin-Moran-Bryant, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Regulatory Services and Housing, said, "I commend the efforts of our Trading Standards Officers and the collaborative work with law enforcement agencies. Our community deserves to be free from the negative impacts of illegal activities, and this operation signifies our dedication to achieving that. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents."
The Bedford Borough Council urges citizens to assist in this fight against illegal tobacco. If you have any information regarding the sale of illegal tobacco in Bedford Borough, please report it to the Citizens Advice Bureau at 0808 223 1133 or via email at EHadmin@Bedford.gov.uk.