Gloucestershire Trading Standards has seized almost £4,000 worth of illegal tobacco following an inspection at a shop in the Forest of Dean.
The discovery was made during a routine visit by a Trading Standards Officer, who uncovered a significant stash of illicit products stored not inside the premises, but in a car parked behind the shop. Officers say it is becoming increasingly common for retailers to keep illegal tobacco off-site in an attempt to evade detection during inspections.
A total of 343 packets of cigarettes and 97 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco were seized, including counterfeit versions of well-known brands such as Amber Leaf and Lambert & Butler. The haul is estimated to be worth around £3,800.
Routine inspections are carried out across Gloucestershire to prevent illegal goods from being sold to the public, and Trading Standards has confirmed that an investigation into the shop involved is ongoing.
Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, Cabinet Member responsible for Trading Standards, praised the work of officers: “Our Trading Standards officers carry out regular inspections of stores across the county to ensure they are not selling illegal products. No one benefits from shops selling illegal tobacco and vape products, and our teams work hard to prevent these items being sold.”
The council says it will continue to clamp down on the sale of counterfeit and illicit tobacco to protect both consumers and legitimate businesses.