Tobacco seizures up despite elaborate hidey-holes
Hull City CouncilSeizures of illegal tobacco in Hull have more than doubled, according to the city council.
About 2.4 million counterfeit cigarettes were confiscated in 2024, up from just over one million in the previous year.
In the same period, 45,731 vapes and 25,841 tobacco pouches were discovered.
Detection dogs have uncovered illicit tobacco in a number of sophisticated hiding places, including a compartment inside a concrete drain, a delivery chute from an upstairs flat, a false mirror and a floor safe with a hidden hydraulic lift, the council said.
Rachel Stephenson, head of public protection at the council, said: "Illegal tobacco and vapes are a danger to anyone who uses them.
"The products aren't subjected to the same safety checks as legal versions, and both cigarettes and vapes can pose a fire risk.
"Those who sell them often target children and young people, and we know cheap tobacco is a barrier to adults who want to quit."
Ms Stephenson said seizures ranged from small traders to "major distributors in the city".
One raid found thousands of counterfeit products hidden inside an industrial bin.
"Our team and our partners demonstrate over and over again that they stay a step ahead of those trading illegal tobacco and vapes," Ms Stephenson added.
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