A major haul of illegal tobacco and vape products—valued at approximately £12,000—has been seized from a shop in Preston City Centre, following a tip-off from members of the public.
In a coordinated operation on Tuesday, June 10, officers from Lancashire Constabulary’s Preston Neighbourhood Policing Team joined forces with Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards to target the store suspected of selling illicit products. The raid led to the confiscation of 748 packets of illegal cigarettes and 545 unregulated vapes.
The seizure forms part of Operation Centurion, a county-wide initiative designed to tackle anti-social behaviour and illegal activity in Lancashire. Police estimate the total street value of the seized goods to be around £12,000, highlighting the scale of the illegal trade in the region.
The illicit tobacco trade is a serious issue in Lancashire, with products often sold without tax, to underage customers, and without regulatory oversight. The availability of cheap and unregulated tobacco and vape products not only undermines public health efforts but also funds organised crime across the region.
Sgt Tom Rettie, from Preston’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, praised the operation, saying:
“We are committed to making communities feel safer and we will continue to work closely with them and our partners to ensure we achieve this. This operation demonstrates the strong working relationships that we have with our partners and the commitment we all have to working together to tackle the issues that our communities are facing.”
County Councillor Joshua Roberts, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, added:
“These illicit products not only undermine public health but also pose serious risks, especially to our young people. Trading Standards will continue to work with Lancashire Constabulary to tirelessly crack down on businesses that continue to flout the law and put the safety and wellbeing of residents at risk.”
A Message to the Public
Authorities are urging anyone who suspects illegal tobacco or vape sales in their community to report their concerns.
You can contact police on 101, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or report online via the Lancashire Constabulary website.
The public plays a vital role in supporting these efforts. By sharing information, you help protect your community from the harms of illicit trade and contribute to the wider goal of making Lancashire a safer place to live and work.