A significant blow has been dealt to organised crime in Maidstone after a joint operation led to the seizure of over £40,000 worth of illegal tobacco and vaping products from a town centre store.
Kent Police, working alongside Maidstone Borough Council and Kent County Council Trading Standards, executed a raid on a business premises on Upper Stone Street on Friday, February 28th, at approximately 3pm. The operation resulted in the confiscation of nearly 20kg of illicit tobacco and around 40,000 illegal cigarettes, with an estimated retail value of £45,356.
Officers discovered sophisticated hidden compartments within the premises, one requiring a strong magnet to open, and another accessed via a modified light switch. The concealed stashes contained a large quantity of counterfeit tobacco and vaping products. In addition, an unlicensed air-powered revolver was recovered.
Investigating officer, PC Tom Cunningham, said:
‘Counterfeit tobacco and vape products pose serious health risks to users. Their manufacture is not regulated meaning they often contain higher levels of chemicals, as well as ingredients not fit for human consumption, such as animal hair and human faeces.
‘Choosing to purchase the often cheaper, illicit tobacco and vape products, members of the public are not only compromising their health but are unknowingly funding abhorrent crimes.
‘We urge anyone with information about the sale of these items to contact Kent Police, or report concerns anonymously via Crimestoppers.’