A substantial quantity of illicit cigarettes and tobacco have been seized by Northumberland Trading standards officers from locations in South East Northumberland during a multi agency strike with Northumbria Police and the Immigration Service 

Trading Standards Officers from Northumberland County Council  attended  a business location and then a private home that was  being used as a ‘safe house’ to store the illicit goods. Officers gained entry to the safe house with assistance from Northumbria Police, under a Magistrates warrant.

During the search of the private house, 18,540 illicit cigarettes were discovered. 

During the course of an investigation Northumbria Police had visited a separate residential property and had seized a further 15,400 illicit cigarettes and 160 pouches of illicit hand rolled tobacco. 

The cigarettes and tobacco from both seizures are linked to a business premises where they were to be offered for sale. 

Trading Standards have confirmed that they are carrying out further investigations into the suppliers of the illicit tobacco and cigarettes seized during this operation. 

Northumberland County Councillor Cabinet Member for Public Safety Gordon Stewart  said: “This illicit tobacco and cigarettes was destined to be sold across Northumberland.  

“ A seizure of this size will make a huge impact on the organised crime gangs who were set to profit from this, and will  significantly disrupt this illegal supply chain across our region. “ 

The sale of cheap tobacco is not a victimless crime. It discourages people from quitting smoking and encourages young people to start smoking from an early age.  Buying cheap tobacco also fills the pockets of organised criminal gangs who are behind it, brings criminal activity into our communities and allows vulnerable people to be preyed upon. 

Cllr Stewart added: 

“With the help of the public within our neighbourhoods and the efforts of our Trading Standards team, our aim is to stop the supply of illicit tobacco across all communities in Northumberland and ensure that those responsible are brought to account. “  
 

“It is really important that people come forward with any information they have about the supply of illicit tobacco in Northumberland. Any information will be treated in strict confidence and can also be supplied to us anonymously through ‘Keep It Out’ reporting channels.” The Keep It Out campaign  is being run by Fresh, a regional tobacco control programme hosted by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and backed by Northumberland County Council. 

Ailsa Rutter OBE Director of Fresh and Balance said: “2 out of 3 people who smoke will die early because of tobacco, whether they smoke legal or illegal tobacco. Illegal tobacco dealers are linked to criminality and are fueling ill health in our local communities, helping children to get hooked. 

  

“Tackling illegal tobacco is vital as part of efforts to make smoking history for future generations and help reduce the misery of smoking-related diseases such as lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is more excellent work from Northumberland County Council’s Trading Standards to take it off the streets.” 

  

Information about illegal tobacco can be reported anonymously online at www.keepitout.co.uk or by phoning 0300 999 0000.  Reports can also be made directly and in confidence to the Trading Standards team at Northumberland County Council, by email to tradingstandards@northumberland.gov.uk or by phoning 01670 623870.