Thousands of illegal cigarettes seized from shops

Thousands of illegal cigarettes have been seized from shops in a two-day operation led by Trading Standards.

Officers from West Northamptonshire Council visited nine stores in Northampton and Daventry on 1 and 2 February and seized goods from eight of them.

The team recovered more than 4,300 packets of illicit cigarettes, 18.4kg of illegal hand‑rolling tobacco, 654 disposable vapes and £10,000 in cash.

Counterfeit toys and 42 nitrous oxide canisters were also confiscated, officers added.

Some of the cigarettes and tobacco found did not meet British safety standards and were intended for sale in other countries, which officers said meant UK duty had not been paid.

The Trading Standards team also found some of the illegal goods hidden in underfloor compartments operated by hydraulic lifts and remote controls.

Andrew Last, the cabinet member for corporate services on West Northamptonshire Council, said: "The sale of illegal tobacco and vapes puts our communities at real risk, exposing the public to harmful substances and undermining legitimate local businesses."

The council added that the confiscated goods would be destroyed.

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