Tip-off leads police to £28,000 illegal tobacco haulf illegal tobacco

The haul of illegal tobaccoThe haul of illegal tobacco
The haul of illegal tobacco
Lancashire County Council Trading Standards has seized a huge stash of illegal tobacco following raids carried out in Burnley.

Over 5,700 packs with a retail value of £28,000 were netted in the Burnley Lane and Colne Road area after officers received intelligence linking a number of recent leads.

A house, cellar and car were targeted as officers served three warrants after tracking a supply ring operating around the north of the town.

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The haul included counterfeit copies of brands such as Mayfair, Amber Leaf and Golden Virginia, as well as brands bearing foreign health warnings such as Richman, Jim and Gold Mount.

A 40-year-old man has been interviewed and investigations into the supply chain are continuing. The trader involved faces prosecution by Trading Standards under the Trade Marks Act and Consumer Protection Act.

Paul Noone, chief officer for Lancashire County Council Trading Standards Service, said: “This seizure is our sixth in Burnley since the start of 2016. The availability of cheap illegal tobacco and lack of picture warnings on these products contribute to keeping smoking rates high in East Lancashire, while surveys show a higher percentage of child smokers buy illicit tobacco than adult smokers.”

Counterfeit goods can be reported on 03454 040506.

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