Illegal Tobacco Seized in Cornwall

From Cornwall Council: A quantity of illegal tobacco has been seized in west Cornwall following an investigation byTrading Standards. 

Officers from Trading Standards and the police entered a commercial premises in Carharrack earlier this month and seized the tobacco, together with a quantity of cash. 

"We received information regarding a supplier of illegal tobacco as a result of a recent awareness campaign run jointly with Smokefree Southwest", explained Jack Yates from Trading Standards.  "Our officers, posing as members of the public, visited the premises to test-purchase a sample of the tobacco and check its authenticity.  All the 12 items purchased were found to be illegal to supply in the UK."

This was the second such seizure in the last six months; tobacco believed to have a street value in excess of £25,000 was seized from a property in mid Cornwall last year.

Jack continued, "We are advising smokers not to be tempted by cheap tobacco as they don't know what it contains.  It is becoming increasingly difficult to tell the difference between counterfeit and genuine tobacco - the only way to ensure that the tobacco that you are smoking is legitimate is to purchase it through a trusted retailer."

Counterfeit tobacco is becoming increasingly prevalent, with criminals taking care to ensure their product looks exactly like the genuine brands, even fooling customers into believing they have bought non-UK duty paid tobacco by printing health warnings in different languages.

The money made from sales of illegal tobacco often funds serious organised crime, such as people trafficking and terrorism.

Lance Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Protection, added "Illegal tobacco is thought to be responsible for four times as many deaths as drugs. By buying this tobacco you are increasing your chances of a terminal illness and also those of your family.  Not only do these products kill, you may be supporting organised crime helping to damage our economy."

"Anyone who knows of similar counterfeiting activities should report it to Trading Standards and help 'stump out' the activity here in Cornwall."

To report suspected counterfeit tobacco sales please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.  All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

The investigation is ongoing.