Counterfeit cigarettes go up in smoke

A total of 5,280 illegal Richman cigarettes, 40 counterfeit Lambert & Butler cigarettes and 950 grammes of counterfeit Gold Leaf hand-rolling tobacco were recovered during the latest swoop at a house in Hainton Avenue, which followed several months of investigation and a number of successful raids over the summer.

Nearly 2,000 illegal cigarettes, 5.7 grammes of illegal tobacco and £375 in cash was seized from a house in Coventry Avenue, including a brand called Avalon which was believed to be new to the area.

Another significant haul was recovered from a property in Heneage Road, while illegal cigarettes were found being sold in a shop in the Freeman Street area of the town.

The raids bring the total number of illegal smoking products seized by North East Lincolnshire Council since December 2009 to 77,398 cigarettes and 46 kilogrammes of tobacco.

Mick Burnett, deputy council leader and portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: “The availability of this cheap, illegal tobacco keeps smoking rates high amongst adults and children in North East Lincolnshire, which has clear and devastating impact on the health of our community.

“These seizures send a clear message to those operating illegally that this will not be tolerated.”

David Bolton, the council’s portfolio holder for community safety and neighbourhoods, added: “Illegal cigarettes are dangerous – they are untested and untaxed.

“Those who trade in them are only interested in making a profit; they don’t care what’s in these products, or what effect they have on those who smoke them. We all need to join together to stop this illegal trade.”

To report suspected illegal activity text 82055 starting with the word CIGS.