• Environment

    Almost 20,000 illicit cigarettes seized from eight Lanarkshire businesses

    AnyFans Posted on

    By Kieran Webster

    Copyright glasgowlive

    Almost 20,000 illicit cigarettes seized from eight Lanarkshire businesses

    Nearly 20,000 illicit cigarettes and 3.15kg of hand rolling tobacco have been seized from eight businesses by the North Lanarkshire Council Trading Standards team.

    Premises face potential criminal prosecution, license reviews, and additional sanctions, including penalties of up to £10,000 as investigations continue.

    The seizures were made during two separate operations in Airdrie, Wishaw and Motherwell in August and September.

    According to the council, the products were concealed and stored in purpose-built areas designed to evade detection, but were uncovered with the assistance of tobacco detection dogs.

    In another operation, one business has had its alcohol license revoked by the Licensing Board after the council’s Environmental Health Officers seized 25 x 35cl bottles of counterfeit vodka.

    The officers are now working with Food Standards Scotland’s Food Crime Unit to prepare a case for submission to the Crown Office and further investigate the supply chain involved.

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    Councillor Helen Loughran, convener of the environment and climate change committee, said: “Illegal cigarettes and tobacco products cause significant health risks as there’s no quality control involved in their manufacture.

    “Shockingly, some of the products were discovered hidden inside a filthy, unhygienic waste bin, which underscores the illegal trade’s utter disregard for public health and safety.

    “Our officers rely on intelligence from members of the public, Police Scotland and other partners to identify the businesses who are selling these products and take action to remove them from our communities.”

    These latest seizures mean the Trading Standards Service has seized over 108,000 cigarettes (over 5,420 packets) of illicit cigarettes and 32kg of hand rolling tobacco from 22 premises across North Lanarkshire in the last 12 months.

    If any members of the public have concerns that illicit products are being supplied from retail premises in North Lanarkshire, you can contact Trading Standards at tradingstandards@northlan.gov.uk.

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