Dodgy smokes have been confiscated by police in a multi-agency raid in Derbyshire has led to the discovery of over 1,000 illicit goods.
Officers from Trading Standards, together with Derbyshire Constabulary officers conducted a raid at a business premises on High Street, Clay Cross on October 30.
During the raid, authorities seized multiple illegal items, including over 1,000 cigarettes, several hundred grams of rolling tobacco, and multiple vapes.
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The seized goods have an estimated total value of nearly £1,700.
A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police said: “Yesterday officers worked with trading standards and conducted an inspection on a premises on High Street, Clay Cross.
“Multiple illegal items have been seized including over 1000 cigarettes, hundreds of grams of rolling tobacco and multiple vapes totalling nearly £1700 worth of goods.”
What the law says about dodgy smokes
In the UK, the sale of illegal cigarettes is prohibited under laws designed to protect public health and regulate tobacco products. These laws include the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, which require all tobacco products to carry health warnings, comply with packaging standards, and meet specific quality and safety requirements.
Selling unlicensed or counterfeit cigarettes—often sold at lower prices and lacking proper tax stamps—is illegal and poses health risks, as these products can contain unregulated additives.
The penalties for selling illegal cigarettes can be severe, including fines, imprisonment, and business closure.
Enforcement by Trading Standards and local police helps curb the black market for tobacco, which undermines health initiatives and generates significant tax revenue losses for the government.
If you suspect a shop is selling illicit tobacco, you can report it to authorities in several ways:
1. Contact Trading Standards: Most local councils have Trading Standards departments that deal with illegal sales. You can report suspicious activity by contacting them directly through your local council’s website or by phone.
2. Report to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC): HMRC has a specific hotline (0800 788 887) and an online form for reporting suspected illegal tobacco sales. Your information can be kept anonymous.
3. Notify Crimestoppers: You can report anonymously through Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting their website.
When making a report, try to provide as much detail as possible about the business, such as its location, the products observed, and any specific concerns about the packaging or pricing.
The History of Illegal Tobacco in Derbyshire and Efforts to Stamp It Out
Illegal tobacco has long been a problem in Derbyshire, reflecting a wider issue across the UK, as counterfeit, smuggled, and unregulated tobacco products flood local markets. The illicit tobacco trade in the county has seen significant growth over the years, both in the scale of its operations and its sophistication. The efforts to curb the problem have involved numerous agencies, including Trading Standards, the police, and local councils, all working together to reduce the availability of these dangerous products.
The Early Years of the Tobacco Black Market in Derbyshire
The illegal tobacco trade in Derbyshire began to gain attention in the late 20th century, with tobacco smuggling becoming a growing issue across the UK. In the 1990s, globalisation and the opening of borders within the European Union allowed smuggling rings to operate more freely, bringing large quantities of untaxed tobacco into the country. These illegal products often bypassed the customs process, evading the necessary duty taxes, which created a significant loss of revenue for the government.
As a result, illegal tobacco began to appear more frequently in local markets, particularly in the form of cheap, untaxed cigarettes and rolling tobacco. These products were sold in smaller, informal outlets such as corner shops or through door-to-door sales. In Derbyshire, this was particularly noticeable in urban centres like Derby, Chesterfield, and smaller towns like Swadlincote, where residents sought out cheaper alternatives to taxed products.
Local authorities became increasingly concerned about the social and economic impact of illegal tobacco. The loss of revenue from untaxed goods put a strain on public services, and the proliferation of substandard, often dangerous products posed significant public health risks. In the early 2000s, Derbyshire’s Trading Standards teams started to take a more proactive approach to tackle illegal tobacco sales, working closely with customs and police to identify trafficking routes and seize illicit goods.
The Heightened Efforts in the 2010s
By the early 2010s, the scale of the issue had escalated. Illegal tobacco was no longer confined to small shops or informal street traders. Organised criminal groups began to get involved in the trade, importing large quantities of tobacco products into the UK and distributing them via underground networks. This increase in criminal involvement led to more complex operations, with illegal tobacco being sold alongside other illicit goods, such as drugs and counterfeit alcohol.
The situation in Derbyshire mirrored the nationwide trend, as Trading Standards, working in partnership with police forces, launched numerous raids to disrupt the flow of illegal tobacco. High-profile operations took place across the county, targeting both the suppliers and the outlets that sold the illicit goods. In Derby, for example, undercover operations were set up in which officers posed as buyers to catch local vendors who were selling illegal tobacco. Meanwhile, at the national level, efforts were ramped up to combat the organised crime syndicates that brought these products into the country.
One of the key elements of Derbyshire’s fight against illegal tobacco was the introduction of the Duty Fraud Campaign by the government. This initiative allowed law enforcement to go after major tobacco smugglers and counterfeit producers. The focus shifted to dismantling entire networks, which required close coordination with national bodies like HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the National Crime Agency (NCA). The role of Trading Standards in Derbyshire was integral to these efforts, as they had the local knowledge and intelligence to pinpoint key areas of activity.
Recent Developments and New Challenges
Despite the significant progress made over the past decade, the problem of illegal tobacco remains a persistent issue in Derbyshire. In recent years, there have been concerns about the rise in online sales of counterfeit tobacco, with individuals being able to purchase illegal goods through websites or social media platforms without the need for face-to-face transactions. This has introduced a new level of complexity to the fight against illegal tobacco in the county, as Trading Standards officers and police forces must now focus not just on local stores but also on monitoring online activity.
In response to this challenge, Derbyshire’s Trading Standards and local law enforcement agencies have stepped up their monitoring efforts, investing in training for officers to spot counterfeit packaging and learn how to trace the origins of online transactions. The local authorities have also worked closely with national regulators and internet companies to track down and remove websites selling illegal tobacco.
In 2021, Derbyshire’s Trading Standards team carried out one of its most significant operations to date, leading to the seizure of hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of illegal tobacco. These efforts have been made possible by growing public awareness campaigns, which have sought to educate people about the dangers of illegal tobacco. Local authorities have worked tirelessly to highlight the fact that smuggled and counterfeit tobacco often contains harmful chemicals and does not meet the necessary health standards.
How the Local Community is Involved in Tackling Illegal Tobacco
One of the key aspects of the success in stamping out illegal tobacco has been the involvement of the community. Trading Standards and local police forces in Derbyshire have encouraged residents to report suspicious activity, such as seeing illegal tobacco being sold in local shops or noticing large quantities of tobacco being moved in and out of properties. Members of the public can contact anonymous hotlines or report directly to local authorities, knowing that their information could help uncover a major criminal operation.
In addition to these reporting channels, Derbyshire Trading Standards regularly holds community events and works with local schools and health organisations to raise awareness of the risks associated with illegal tobacco. These efforts aim to not only reduce demand for illicit tobacco but also to make it easier for the public to spot it when it’s being sold.
Conclusion
The history of illegal tobacco in Derbyshire is one of persistence, complexity, and ongoing effort. While significant progress has been made to reduce the flow of illicit goods in the county, the challenge remains. The organised nature of the illegal tobacco trade, combined with the emergence of new methods such as online sales, has forced Derbyshire’s Trading Standards and police forces to adapt and evolve their strategies.
Through collaboration with national agencies, increased public awareness, and persistent enforcement actions, Derbyshire continues to make strides in its fight against the illegal tobacco trade. However, with changing tactics and the potential for new types of smuggling to emerge, local authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to protect public health, safeguard tax revenues, and dismantle criminal networks that seek to exploit vulnerable communities.
