Blackburn with Darwen Council enforcement officers seized over 15,500 illegal cigarettes and 1,800 illicit vapes, some containing cannabis, in just two months.
Blackburn with Darwen Council enforcement officers conducted raids that resulted in the seizure of over 15,500 illegal cigarettes and 1,800 illicit vapes – some containing cannabis – within a two-month period, according to a report presented to council members.
The report, delivered to the authority’s Council Forum meeting on Thursday by environment boss Cllr Jim Smith, highlighted the collaborative efforts of trading standards officers and police in actively disrupting the supply chain of illicit tobacco and vapes. These operations targeted various premises in Blackburn and Darwen. According to the report, the seized items included cigarettes, two and a half kilos of illegal hand-rolling tobacco, and over 1,800 illegal vapes, along with a quantity of counterfeit clothing. During these multiple operations conducted in November and December, police accompanying trading standards officers made several arrests for drug offenses, including possession with intent to supply THC vapes. THC, the chemical responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis, is a controlled substance. The report further stated that information regarding the three premises found to be in possession of illegal tobacco products would be forwarded to HM Revenue and Customs' 'Track and Trace Scheme.' This scheme allows HMRC to impose financial penalties on businesses found with illicit tobacco. The report estimated that the potential penalties for the quantities of tobacco seized during the recent trading standards operations could range from £2,500 to £10,000. An application for a license review was submitted in relation to one of the offending premises. Investigations into the remaining offenses are currently ongoing
ILLEGAL CIGARETTES ILLEGAL VAPES CANNABIS BLACKBURN DARWEN COUNCIL RAIDS TRADING STANDARDS POLICE HMRC
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