A special unit of the Scottish market regulator has carried out more than one hundred seizures in five months regarding illegal cigarettes, tobacco products, and unauthorized e-cigarettes. During the operations, four people were arrested and cash was also seized.
The Scottish Illicit Tobacco Team, operated by Trading Standards for Scotland, has reported on the results of the first five months of its fight against illegal tobacco products and e-cigarettes. During this time, the authority conducted 172 inspections at Scottish businesses, seizing illegally marketed goods on 106 occasions.
The seized items included over 612,000 cigarettes, 3,460 packs (totaling 173 kilograms) of hand-rolling tobacco, counterfeit clothing, and a significant amount of illegal e-cigarettes. During the operations, four warrants were executed, four individuals were arrested, and £12,000 in cash was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The initiative is part of a national program called Operation CeCe, which is being implemented by local authorities in partnership with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Police Scotland. Funding for the program is secured until March 31, 2029, and the regulator’s goal is to suppress the black market and protect minors from unregulated products.
In short
- Scottish authorities seized illegal goods on 106 occasions during 172 business inspections.
- More than 612,000 illegal cigarettes, 173 kg of hand-rolling tobacco, and a significant amount of unauthorized e-cigarettes were removed from circulation.
- The official action resulted in four arrests and the seizure of £12,000 in cash.
- Funding for inspections under Operation CeCe is secured until March 2029.
Source: Planet of The Vapes (planetofthevapes.co.uk)
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