Illegal cigarettes and tobacco have been seized from four Flintshire shops

Illegal cigarettes and tobacco have been seized from four Flintshire shops following a series of raids.

The stores in Mold, Holywell, Buckley and Connah’s Quay were targeted in a two-day operation which saw a total of 8,460 counterfeit cigarettes and 3.5kg of counterfeit tobacco seized. 

The operation was carried out by Flintshire County Council Trading Standards, North Wales Police, Immigration services and Wagtail UK detection dogs.

It was part of a national initiative known as Operation CeCe, an enforcement campaign aimed at disrupting the supply of illegal tobacco and related products, which can pose serious risks to public health and undermine legitimate local businesses.

Searches at the four premises revealed sophisticated hidden concealments which were being used to store the illegal products.

The estimated total street value of the goods seized was £2,500.

David Fitzsimon, Chief Officer for Place and Growth, said:

“The seizure of illegal cigarettes and tobacco during these raids highlights the scale of this issue and the importance of this ongoing enforcement work.

“As well as the risks associated with consumers having no guarantees over what these products contain, this kind of criminal activity also damages the trade of local businesses and is frequently associated with broader criminal networks that cause harm to our communities.

“We remain committed to working alongside partners to identify and disrupt illegal trading, and will continue to take robust action wherever it is found.”

Residents are encouraged to report suspected illegal sales to Flintshire County Council Trading Standards by emailing:

trading.standards@flintshire.gov.uk