Seized cigarettes and tobacco
Kent Trading Standards and Kent Police have seized 40,000 cigarettes and 50 kilos of rolling tobacco from two shops in Maidstone, following a joint operation on Wednesday.
The tobacco products, which have a combined value of £18,000, were found at premises in the town centre and Fant areas. Two other shops were inspected and found to be compliant.
The operation was carried out as part of the ongoing crackdown on organised crime groups that are involved in the sale of illicit tobacco and counterfeit goods. These activities harm legitimate businesses and attract anti-social behaviour and other types of crime.
Clive Phillips, Operations Manager for Kent Trading Standards, said: ‘We have removed a significant amount of illegal tobacco from shops in Maidstone as a result of information received. Illegal tobacco brings organised crime into the community and undermines legitimate businesses. Trading Standards urges anyone with concerns about illegal tobacco in their neighbourhood to report the matter.’
Inspector Steve Kent, of the Maidstone Community Safety Unit, said: ‘My officers regularly work with Trading Standards teams to identify businesses which might be involved in illegal activity, such as money laundering and the sale of illicit tobacco and counterfeit goods. These offences often attract anti-social behaviour and other types of crime. ‘The businesses also have a detrimental impact on legitimate local traders and our inspections will continue while the Trading Standards investigation is underway.’
Anyone who has information about shops selling illegal tobacco can report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via the Stop Illegal Tobacco Hotline 0300 999 6 999.