Barking and Dagenham: £12,000 illicit tobacco seized

Trading Standards officers in Barking and Dagenham confiscated illicit tobacco and nicotine products worth more than £12,000. The seizures occurred on July 31 as part of an enforcement operation targeting eight commercial premises across the borough.

The operation, known as Operation CeCe, was intelligence-led and aimed at disrupting the illegal tobacco trade. Officers found illegal products at four of the eight inspected premises. Among the confiscated items were 13,460 illicit tobacco sticks, 86 pouches of chewing tobacco, and 80 nicotine pouches.

Operation details and resident reporting

The enforcement action followed intelligence reports, resident complaints, and undercover test purchases. Specialist tobacco detection dogs were used to find many of the hidden items. Investigations into the four premises where illegal products were found are ongoing.

Councillor Syed Ghani, cabinet member for enforcement and community safety for Barking and Dagenham Council, stated that the operation sends a clear message against the illegal sale of tobacco and nicotine products. He added that these products harm legitimate businesses, bypass safety regulations, and can fall into the wrong hands. The council plans to continue working with partners to combat the illegal tobacco trade and protect residents.

Operation CeCe is part of the council's broader efforts to tackle the sale of illicit and unregulated tobacco, support compliant retailers, and safeguard public health. Residents who wish to report shops suspected of selling illegal tobacco products can do so by emailing tradingstandards@lbbd.gov.uk.