Luton Borough Council

15/11/2023 - Cracking down on illicit tobacco with largest seizure by Luton Trading standards

The largest seizure to date was made following evidence that illicit tobacco and non-duty paid cigarettes was being stored at premises in Luton.

Last week (9 November), officers from Luton Trading Standards, accompanied by Bedfordshire Police, executed two warrants to domestic premises. On entry to one of the premises, 17,514 packs of illicit and non-duty paid cigarettes were found, with an estimated street value of £250,000. A cash counting machine was also seized.

Luton Trading Standards investigates and gathers information on the sale of illicit tobacco, shisha and vaping products across Luton to protect the health of the public. The sale of illicit tobacco is often linked to other wider organised criminal activity.

Councillor Khtija Malik, portfolio holder responsible for Public Health at Luton Council said, ‘’It is essential that together, we disrupt these organised criminals that are basing themselves in Luton, and send out a strong message that this is not a place for organised crime. The sale of illicit tobacco evades tax and the products are far more dangerous than regulated tobacco.

“Landlords of both domestic and commercial property must ensure that they protect themselves against the risk of becoming complicit in criminal activity, where they benefit from the proceeds of crime through rent and lease monies”.

The importation, storage and distribution of illicit tobacco is organised crime. Landlords, whose tenants are engaged in the sale of illicit tobacco will also be advised and investigated by trading standards.

Residents are urged to report anonymously any suspicious or known activity relating to illicit tobacco and vapes; connected to shops, domestic property and vehicles through the confidential Keep it out website.