Comment On A Crazy World: 12,100 illegal cigarettes seized in raid on Immingham house

12,100 illegal cigarettes seized in raid on Immingham house

A TIP-OFF from a member of the public led to the seizure of more than 12,100 illegal cigarettes from an Immingham house.

Cash was also uncovered in the raid, carried out after Trading Standards officers joined forces with Humberside Police to carry out an undercover test purchase.

Details of the raid have been released today as it is revealed that illegal cigarette trade is increasing crime rates in North East Lincolnshire and encouraging children to take up smoking.

And members of the public have been urged to help stamp out the trade in illegal tobacco in North East Lincolnshire by texting the word CIGS to 82055 together with detail.

The latest investigation was launched when North East Lincolnshire Council's tobacco control officer received information that illegal cigarettes were being traded from the home in Spring Street.

The raid on July 21 led to the discovery of thousands of L&M cigarettes and 8.25 kilograms of Turner's rolling tobacco - which had been smuggled into the country illegally to avoid tax - alongside £2,500 in cash.

No arrests were made in connection with the haul, although a man not living at the address was arrested and handed a fixed-penalty fine of £80 for a public order offence.

Councillor Steve Beasant, portfolio holder for community safety, neighbourhoods and customer services, said: "This is an excellent result in our fight against people who illegally trade in smuggled and fake tobacco products.

"People who profit by trading in illegal cigarettes are ripping off the public purse and they are often supplying untested products which carry bigger health risks than legitimate tobacco."

It was the second largest raid made by the tobacco control officer since the post was created in autumn last year. In total, 67,000 cigarettes and 27kg of rolling tobacco have been seized in that time.

The council is now collecting further evidence before prosecuting.

Figures show that 21 per cent of smokers in the region have bought illegal tobacco at some point – read more about the trade and its affect on health and legitimate traders, in today's Grimsby Telegraph.