£24 Million of Cigarettes Seized From Shops in Nationwide Crackdown
Authorities say the crackdown has led to nearly £24 million in seizures and £3.5 million in penalties since stronger powers were introduced in 2023.
- Operation CeCe, a collaboration between National Trading Standards and HMRC, confiscated more than 33 million illicit cigarettes and over 800kg of hand-rolling tobacco over the past year, valued at nearly £24 million.
- Zoe Gascoyne, director at HMRC Fraud Investigation Service, said the illicit tobacco trade deprives public services of around £1.7 billion annually while damaging legitimate businesses and targeting underage buyers.
- Since 2023, authorities have issued £3.5 million in penalties to retailers and individuals involved in illicit tobacco sales, while a separate Bradford operation recently seized £300,000 worth of suspected illegal products.
- Lord Bichard, chairman of National Trading Standards, said illicit tobacco is "not a victimless crime," adding the agency is building detailed intelligence to target enforcement where it has the greatest impact.
- West Yorkshire Police and Bradford Council are investigating possible license revocations linked to the properties involved, as Trading Standards warned the illicit trade poses serious dangers to young people and communities.
12 Articles
12 Articles
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Talking Retail
RetailWit£3.5m in penalties issued for illegal tobacco sales since 2023
More than 33 million illicit cigarettes have been seized from local retail outlets in the past year as part of Operation CeCe, a joint initiative between National Trading Standards and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to tackle the illicit tobacco trade. The haul of illicit… This story continues at £3.5m in penalties issued for illegal tobacco sales since 2023 Or just read more coverage at Talking Retail
Millions of illicit tobacco products seized
Discover what's happening in retail today, Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and much more. More than 33 million illicit cigarettes have been seized from local retail outlets in the past year as part of Operation CeCe, a joint initiative between National Trading Standards and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to tackle the illicit tobacco trade. The haul of illic…
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