A total of 1,024 illegal cigarettes, counterfeit hand rolling tobacco and vaping products were seized from three shops
Thousands of pounds worth of counterfeit nicotine products have been seized from shops across Preston.
Preston Police and Lancashire Trading Standards carried out a joint operation to tackle the problem of illegal cigarettes, counterfeit hand rolling tobacco and vapes hitting the city's streets. They seized a total of 1,024 goods from three shops, which have not been named. In one of the premises, products were found hidden from view behind a swing-out wall fixing. The crackdown operation was conducted on Tuesday, March 7, and police bosses said, if sold as genuine, the seized products would be worth around £7,000.Sgt Martin Hughes, from Preston Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "We are committed to continuing to tackle this type of crime which has a negative impact on genuine businesses but also on the health and wellbeing of the public.
Trading Standards Officer, Dawn Robinson, said "The items seized were a mixture of illicit tobacco products, either counterfeit or bearing incorrect health warnings, and illegal vapes. The sheer volume of seizures of these products by Trading Standards demonstrates the value of the illegal trade in these products, with some unscrupulous retailers clearly reluctant to comply with the law.
"Cheap illicit tobacco is readily available to young people and encourages them to smoke. Please refer any intelligence on illegal tobacco sales to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 2231133."READ NEXT:
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Preston then and now pictures feature in new Preston – Reflections book'If, like myself, you often wander through the streets of Preston and its neighbourhood and wonder what they were like years ago then hopefully this book will enlighten you.'
Read more »
Preston Guild Hall legal wrangle resolvedAfter nearly four years standing pretty much unused, it sounds like Preston Guild Hall might soon see entertainment again. prestoncouncil say the legal wrangle has been resolved:
Read more »
Preston bistro launches new pie menu - and gravy makes the cutPlau Bar & Bistro will be serving a range of pies at £10 a go 😋
Read more »
Preston Guild Hall legal battle quashed as eyes fixed on reopeningPreston Guild Hall has been shut since May 2019 when Preston City Council seized the asset from then owner, the late Simon Rigby
Read more »
Investigation into latest Recycling Lives fire at Preston depot continuesAerial view of the firefighters in action at Recycling Lives Pic: Lfrs drone An investigation into what caused the fire incident at Recycling Lives is under
Read more »
New Home Bargains opening at Preston’s Queens Shopping ParkHome Bargains is opening in Queens Shopping Park Home Bargains has invested approximately £1 million into its new store at Queen's Shopping Park that will
Read more »