Trading Standards officers seize almost £4,000 of illegal tobacco hidden in car

A Trading Standards Officer found the illegal tobacco during an inspection of a shop in the Forest of Dean.

A car parked to the rear of the premises was found to be storing a large quantity of illegal tobacco, with evidence found linking the vehicle to the shop.

It is increasingly common for stores to keep illegal tobacco off premises to avoid it being found during any inspections.

Trading Standards officers carry out routine inspections of stores across the county to ensure illegal products are not being sold to the public.

Officers were able to seize 343 packets of cigarettes and 97 pouches of hand rolling tobacco.

The seized tobacco included counterfeit copies of brands such as Amber Leaf and Lambert and Butler, with a value of approximately £3,800.

The Trading Standards investigation into the store is ongoing.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, Cabinet member responsible for Trading Standards at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Our Trading Standards officers carry out regular inspections of stores across the county to ensure they are not selling illegal products.

“No one benefits from shops selling illegal tobacco and vape products, and our teams work hard to prevent these items being sold.”