Large illegal tobacco haul seized in Plymouth

Illegal tobacco and vapes valued at almost £100,000 have been seized from five premises across Plymouth.

Officers from the Heart of the South West Trading Standards service visited six commercial and retail premises on 1 November.

The products were seized with the help of police and specialist sniffer dogs.

Alex Fry, from the trading standards team, said removing illegal tobacco and vapes from the marketplace was a "high priority".

In total, 17,075 packets of cigarettes, 688 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco and 550 vapes were seized.

Some of the tobacco was located in hidden compartments and was only found using detection dogs.

Certain compartments were operated by secret hidden electrical switches and, in one instance, vapes were found in boxes among loose tea leaves.

Councillor Sally Haydon said: "We are working hard to make Plymouth a healthier city and ensure everyone lives long, healthy lives.

"All tobacco poses a health risk but illegal tobacco is sold at pocket money prices and can be bought by children from sellers who are only interested in making money."

Ms Haydon said cheap tobacco products allow people to carry on smoking when they would otherwise quit.

"Anyone who thinks that selling a few dodgy pouches is harmless is utterly deluding themselves," she said.

She added: "Smoking is one of the biggest health problems Plymouth faces and as a council we are determined to do all we can to encourage people in Plymouth to lead a healthy life."

Mr Fry described the operation as "successful".

He said: "Sellers of illegal products have no regard for the age of the purchaser or the safety of the item and are often linked to organised crime groups."

Investigations are ongoing.

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