Maidstone Crackdown: £18,000 Worth of Illegal Cigarettes Seized
A joint sting by Kent Trading Standards and Maidstone Neighbourhood Task Force has hit shops suspected of selling illicit tobacco. On Wednesday 9 August 2023, four town centre stores came under heavy scrutiny.
Big Haul of Bootleg Fags Nabbed
Two businesses passed inspection, but at the other two, officers seized a whopping 40,000 cigarettes and around 50kg of rolling tobacco. The haul is valued at a staggering £18,000.
Clive Phillips, Operations Manager at Kent Trading Standards, said: “Working alongside Kent Police officers, we have removed a significant amount of illegal tobacco from shops in Maidstone due to vital intelligence. Illegal tobacco fuels organised crime and hurts honest traders. If you suspect illegal tobacco in your area, please report it.”
Hidden Stashes and Ongoing Battle
The teams also searched outside premises and found cigarettes hidden in a car boot at one location.
Inspector Steve Kent from Maidstone Community Safety Unit added: “We regularly target organised crime groups with Trading Standards, focusing on money laundering, illicit tobacco sales, and counterfeit goods. These crimes often bring anti-social behaviour and more trouble to our communities. Legitimate businesses suffer too, so our inspections will keep going as investigations continue.”
Report Illegal Tobacco Anonymously
- Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
- Contact the Stop Illegal Tobacco Hotline at www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk or 0300 999 6999
