In a continued effort to stamp out the selling of illegal tobacco, Barking and Dagenham Council’s Trading Standards team have seized over 35,800 illicit cigarettes in a two-day operation.

Under the name, Operation CeCe, officers conducted raids on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 September and found illicit tobacco hidden in hydraulic metal boxes and compartments behind false walls. 

Over the two days, 10 shops were raided and with the help of tobacco detection dogs 35,820 illegal cigarettes and 91 illegal vapes worth approximately £16,500 were confiscated.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “This operation is about protecting our residents from potential dangers of illegal tobacco. 

“The success of Operation CeCe shows how our Trading Standards team are using all the tools at their disposal to take robust action against those who seek to profit from illegal activities at the expense of public health.”

Trading Standards will continue their investigations, and the premises will face prosecution and potential licence reviews.

If residents are aware of businesses selling illegal products, they can report them by emailing tradingstandards@lbbd.gov.uk.