Police seize £100k illegal cigarettes, vapes in Preston raids

Police, Trading Standards, and HM Revenue and Customs jointly conducted raids on five storage units in the Ribbleton and Deepdale areas of Preston, seizing more than £100,000 worth of illegal cigarettes and vapes. The operation, part of the Prosper Partnership's Clear, Hold, Build framework targeting serious and organised crime, uncovered 171,000 packs of illicit cigarettes and illegal vapes valued at around £5,000. Authorities emphasized that these illegal products may contain harmful chemicals, posing significant health risks, including cases where people became very unwell or hospitalized due to illegal vape use. Insp Dave Byrne highlighted the success of the operation in removing these dangerous items from circulation and protecting children from exposure. Councillor Joshua Roberts stressed the importance of stringent actions against companies that fail to meet UK labelling requirements, as unregulated products cannot be assured safe. The public is encouraged to report concerns about the sale of illegal tobacco or vape products to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service.