Illicit tobacco and vapes seized in multi-agency strike day in Preston

Friday, 14 March 2025 16:40

By Central Radio News

Illegal cigarettes and vapes worth around £2000 have been seized after a multi-agency day of action in Plungington.

This week, officers from Preston’s Neighbourhood Policing Team and Preston Task Force were joined by staff from Lancashire Trading Standards, Immigration, Lancashire Fire and Rescue, Housing Standards and Environmental Health to test compliance at eight premises on Plungington Road.

As part of the operation, police:

Seized around £2000 of illicit tobacco and vapes.

Arrested 2 people in relation to immigration offences.

Arrested one person for possession of a knife.

Arrested one person for possession with intent to supply a Class B drug.

Conducted 6 stop searches.

Seized a vehicle which had no insurance.

PC Lloyd from Preston’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “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.”

Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing at Lancashire County Council said: “It is so important for us to tackle sales of illicit vape and tobacco products, by working together with our partners on days of action like this in the community.

“We will always take action against unscrupulous shop owners who prioritise profits over the health and wellbeing of our community. Selling shoddy and possibly dangerous products puts buyers at a significant risk of harm and this is totally unacceptable.

"Our Trading Standards team will always take the strongest action possible against those who openly break the law. We encourage anyone who has concerns about the sale of any age-restricted products to report these to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service helpline on 0808 223 1133."