MORE than 21,000 illegal cigarettes and 19 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco have been seized in an operation in Derby.
Around 35 officers from HM Revenue and Customs, with support from Derby City Council Trading Standards, and Derbyshire Police Licensing teams visited nine retail premises and self storage units on Wednesday.
The visits, as part of HMRC's Tobacco Taskforce activity, led to tobacco products being seized from seven premises.
This included 21,880 cigarettes, which had had £5,907 duty and VAT evaded and 19 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco, with £3,938 duty and VAT evaded.
Stuart Taylor, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigation, HMRC, said: "The sale of illegal tobacco will not be tolerated by us or our partner agencies.
"Disrupting criminal trade is at the heart of our strategy to clampdown on the illicit tobacco market, which costs the UK around £2 billion a year. This is theft from the taxpayer and undermines legitimate traders.
"Some of the hiding places used by retailers to conceal these goods in Derby were very sophisticated.
"We encourage anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco or alcohol to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000."
Speaking after the operation, Councillor Martin Rawson, deputy leader of Derby City Council and cabinet member for planning, environment and regeneration said: "These criminals put the health of people in Derby at risk and damage local businesses and retailers.
"We are determined to protect the health and safety of our city's residents and therefore, we are committed to any action that rids our streets of counterfeit and illegal tobacco products."
