Some of the illegal items seized in Dorset. Picture: Dorset Council

Crime News

£15,000 of illegal cigarettes, tobacco and vapes seized in Dorset raids

Paul JonesMarch 20, 20250 Comment0

MORE than 15,000 illegal cigarettes were among items seized during a crackdown in Dorset.

Dorset Council Trading Standards took part in a large-scale, nationally funded, illegal tobacco disruption operation – named Op CeCe – in Ferndown and Weymouth last week, co-ordinated by Trading Standards South West.

Supported by Dorset Police, the operation saw a total of 15,520 illegal cigarettes and 9.1kg of illegal hand rolling tobacco seized by Dorset Council Trading Standards officers from various premises and/or vehicles associated with them.

A total of 334 illegal vapes were also seized, with the operation’s haul valued at an estimated £15,500.

Cllr Gill Taylor, Dorset Council cabinet member for health and housing, said: “Partnership working is essential in the fight against the sale of illegal tobacco.

“By collaborating, we can combine our resources, share critical information, and present a united front that significantly disrupts criminal activities.

“We are incredibly grateful to our partners, including the police and immigration services, for their invaluable support in these operations. Together, we can better protect our communities and ensure a safer environment for everyone.

“If you have any concerns about the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products, including underage sales, please report them to Trading Standards. Your information could be the missing piece we need to disrupt serious and organised crime.”

Lord Michael Bichard, Chair, National Trading Standards, added: “The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law.

“Having removed 60,473,235 cigarettes and 16,416kg of hand rolling tobacco between 1st January 2001 and 30th September 2024 in England and Wales, Operation CeCe (a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC) has taken £35.3million pounds worth of illicit tobacco off the market since the operation launched in 2021 and continues to successfully disrupt this illicit trade.”

Sales of illegal tobacco and/or vapes can be reported anonymously to the Trading Standards South West team online or by calling the Citizens Advice consumer advice line on 0808 223 1133.