Illegal tobacco and cash seized in Exeter

Trading standards and police carried out operations

Counterfeit tobacco and cash has been seized in an opeation in Exeter. 

Trading Standards and Devon and Cornwall Police carried out operations on Saturday 24 May at a store selling tobbaco and vape products on Cowick Street, in the city. 

Whilst on the premises, Trading Standards identified a number of offences, which resulted in the seizure of suspected illegal tobacco products and over £1,000 in cash.

Sergeant Matt Beards, who heads up the neighbourhood policing team in Exeter, said: “Buying cheap, counterfeit tobacco helps organised criminals to function in our communities and puts people at risk of harm.

“It’s also important to recognise that illegal goods do not go through regulated safety testing or quality control procedures, which means you can’t be sure what’s in them.

“Carrying out this proactive operation shows the value of partnership working and has resulted in identifying a significant amount of illicit – and potentially unsafe - tobacco which we have removed from circulation.

“I’d like to thank members of the public who reported concerns to us. The information we received really does make a difference in our investigations and I’d encourage anyone with concerns about businesses that may be operating illegally to contact us.”