25,000 illegal cigarettes seized in East Cambridgeshire

Dear Resident,

Keeping our communities safe often means tackling issues that happen behind closed doors, and recently we joined partners in a successful operation targeting the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products across East Cambridgeshire.

On 23 June, we worked alongside Cambridgeshire Trading Standards and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to carry out inspections at premises in Ely, Soham and Littleport. As a result, officers seized 25,000 illegal cigarettes, 6.85kg of hand-rolling tobacco and more than 138 illegal vaping products from three locations.

The operation was supported by specialist Wagtail detection dogs, trained to locate hidden tobacco products, helping officers uncover items that had been concealed.

The products seized included illegal vapes with oversized tanks, missing or incorrect labelling, and items that had not been approved for sale in the UK. Tobacco products without the required health warnings in English were also confiscated.

While these products may appear to be a bargain, the reality is very different. The sale of illegal tobacco and vapes can fund organised criminal activity, undermine efforts to improve public health, and put people at risk through unregulated products.

This operation demonstrates the value of partnership working and the commitment of neighbourhood policing teams to act on concerns raised by local communities.

We know residents care about keeping East Cambridgeshire a safe place to live and work, and your information can make a real difference. If you have concerns or information about the sale of illegal tobacco or vaping products, please report it anonymously via www.keep-it-out.co.uk. You can also contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

Thank you for your continued support.

Kind Regards,

Sergeant Mat Lupton-Pike
East Cambridgeshire Neighbourhood Policing Team