Earlier this month Trading Standards officers carried out raids on various locations in Heckmondwike as part of a joint operation with police and Revenue and Customs officials.
In total they discovered 36,000 cigarettes and 36kg of rolling tobacco – believed to be counterfeit – with an estimated street value of £40,000.Police also recovered a stun gun and CS gas which are illegally held weapons and could pose a serious danger to the public.
David Lodge, head of West Yorkshire Trading Standards, said: “All tobacco is harmful, but the supply of illegal cigarettes seriously undermines the drive to reduce smoking, fuels organised criminality and is often a gateway for young people to becoming addicted to a habit which prematurely kills over half its users.”
The raid is the second counterfeit cigarette operation to be shut down in recent weeks. Earlier this month a man appeared in court after officers uncovered almost 20,000 illicit tobacco products at premises in Dewsbury.
Enquiries by Trading Standards and Revenue & Customs are currently ongoing.
Culture at the Heart of Stockport’s Transformation
South Asian Art Exhibition Opens at Cartwright Hall
Men’s Mental Fitness Programme Launches in Blackburn
Former Teacher Charged with 1990s Child Sex Offences
Council Calls for Tougher Fly-Tipping Sentences
Man Jailed for Raping and Exploiting Vulnerable Teen in Stockport
Free Midsummer Festival to Return to Milton Keynes
Leeds Sets Out ‘Landmark Year of Opportunity’ for Major Projects
Calderdale Council Considers Stronger Enforcement Powers
£8.5m Plan Approved to Transform Blackburn Church into Creative Hub
Tribute paid to hospital radio legend Patrick Murphy
Bhangra Nights
Alim OnAir
Legal Show
The Golden Era