Illegal tobacco and vapes seized by Trading Standards in Gloucester crackdown

Officers from Trading Standards, supported by Gloucestershire Constabulary, carried out an intelligence-led operation on Tuesday 13 October following reports about the suspected sale of illegal tobacco from a shop in the Tredworth area.

Investigations by Trading Standards indicated that illegal tobacco was being stored away from the premises. A test purchase confirmed that when illegal products were requested, a worker left the shop to collect them from a nearby location before returning to complete the sale.

As a result, entry warrants were executed at two nearby premises, alongside an inspection of the shop.

During the operation, Trading Standards officers seized around 1,000 packs of illegal cigarettes, 160 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco and 100 illegal vapes. Approximately £1,000 in cash was also seized.

Trading Standards estimates the products could have generated around £8,000 in sales had they remained on the market.

Illegal tobacco can include counterfeit versions of well-known brands or products made specifically for the illicit market. These products may not meet UK safety requirements, may lack the required health warnings and can be sold without the correct duty being paid.

Following the operation, Gloucestershire Constabulary issued a closure notice for the shop and applied for a closure order under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

At a hearing on 14 October, magistrates granted a three-month closure order requiring the premises to remain closed until 13 January 2027.

The Trading Standards investigation remains ongoing.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, cabinet member with responsibility for Trading Standards at Gloucestershire County Council, said: "The sale of illegal tobacco and vapes harms local communities, puts legitimate businesses at a disadvantage and often has links to wider criminal activity.

"This operation demonstrates our commitment to tackling the illegal trade and taking action where there is evidence of wrongdoing. I would like to thank our Trading Standards officers and Gloucestershire Constabulary for their work in securing these seizures and helping to protect residents and honest local businesses.

"We will continue to investigate reports, act on intelligence and work with our partners to disrupt those who seek to profit from the sale of illegal goods."

Inspector James O’Neill, from Gloucester Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We know that communities have serious concerns about the sale of illegal goods, such as vapes and cigarettes.

“We have a close working relationship with our colleagues in Trading Standards and we are pleased to support them in their work to proactively tackle this issue.”