In a significant crackdown on the sale of unregulated tobacco products, police in Kent have seized a large haul of vapes, cash, and cigarettes from three shops in Dartford and Gravesend. The operation led to the recovery of £4,000 in cash, over 1,200 vapes, 94,000 cigarettes, 20kg of shisha, and 46 pouches of tobacco.
Inspector Lee Cheesman highlighted the dangers of such illicit trade, stating, “The sale of illicit cigarettes, tobacco, and vapes poses a serious health risk to consumers and affects the trade of law-abiding businesses.” The operation uncovered sophisticated methods of concealment with false walls in two of the businesses and wheelie bins used for storage in a third.
In addition to the seizures, two individuals were dealt with for immigration offenses. The success of this operation underscores the ongoing issue of illegal tobacco sales in the region and the lengths shop owners will go to evade detection.
Inspector Cheesman affirmed the commitment to continuing these operations, indicating that similar enforcement actions are planned for the future to combat the illegal trade in tobacco products.
