10,000 illicit cigarettes seized

Illicit cigarettes seized

Thousands of illicit cigarettes have been seized in a swoop on two Rochdale shops.

A stash of almost 10,000 cigarettes was uncovered at the shops  this week following tip offs from members of the public. 

In one case, almost 7,000 cigarettes were seized alongside a small quantity of hand rolling tobacco after officers discovered it hidden in a special compartment beneath the shop counter. At the second store, 2,640 cigarettes had been hidden in a stool behind the front counter.

Rochdale Council’s Public Protection team, who carried out the raids, said in both cases the tobacco had not been correctly labelled and the duty had not been paid.

Councillor Jacquie Beswick, the Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said: “It’s important that retailers adhere to the law around the correct packaging of cigarettes because these rules exist partly to protect consumers by proving adequate health warnings. Failing to pay duty also deprives the government of much-needed revenue.

“We would encourage anyone with information about the supply of non-duty-paid tobacco to come forward and tell us so that appropriate action can be taken.”

To report the sale of illicit tobacco or alcohol, or other public protection issues, please contact the consumer advice line on 08454 04 05 06.