Dudley Council’s trading standards took more than 150,000 illegal cigarettes and 1,000kg of tobacco off the borough’s streets in 13 enforcement operations last year.

The enforcement was part of a larger local Trading Standards initiative within the Central England Trading Standards Authorities (CEnTSA), where more than seven million illegal cigarettes and 478 kg of hand rolling tobacco was seized, with a loss to the taxpayer of nearly £2million.

The Dudley borough seizures took place across seven shops between April 2017 and March 2108. More than 150,000 cigarettes and 1,000kg of hand rolling tobacco was confiscated, two prosecutions have concluded with several more pending. The total retail value of the illegal goods in central England is estimated to be worth in excess of £3million.

The amount of illegal product seized has increased year on year, with the amount of illegal cigarettes seized last year being almost 30% higher than a record seizure figure the previous year. The illegal activity is often well hidden in sophisticated concealments, which are difficult to detect without the aid of specialist tobacco sniffer dogs.

All offending businesses are subject to criminal investigation. Some have received financial penalties, others have been given suspended prison sentences and community orders.  In addition, some shops have had their alcohol licences suspended or revoked for dealing with illegal tobacco products. Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Dudley Council, said:

“Far from being a victimless crime, illegal tobacco trade creates a cheap source for children and young people and although people may think they are getting a ‘good deal’ they are actually supporting organised criminal gangs.

"Whilst all tobacco is harmful, the illegal tobacco market, and in particular the availability of cheap cigarettes, undermines government health policies aimed at reducing the cost to the NHS of treating diseases caused by smoking.

"The loss to the taxpayer means less money being spent on local communities, schools and the NHS and I would urge any residents who have concerns to get in touch with our excellent trading standards team".

Bob Charnley, chairman of CEnTSA added:

‘‘More and more people over the past few years have decided enough is enough and are providing information to Trading Standards, to stop local criminals selling and distributing illegal tobacco.

"Combating illegal tobacco has become an increasing priority for Trading Standards. The illegal tobacco trade has strong links with crime and criminal gangs, including drug dealing, money laundering, people trafficking and even terrorism. Selling illegal tobacco is a crime.

“Retailers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their approach, adapting their methods in order to avoid detection. Some businesses had gone to great lengths to conceal the illegal tobacco in secret compartments, including hydraulic lifts in floors, false walls and fridges. You may hide it, but we will find it.’’

Illegal tobacco products can usually be easily recognised. They will be very cheap, often less than half the price of legitimate packets and often have foreign writing on them.

Anyone being offered cheap tobacco or any other types of illicit goods should report it to Trading Standards by calling the CEnTSA’s confidential fakes hotline on 0300 303 2636.