Illegal Goods Worth More Than £200,000 Seized in the UK in 2023

In the past year, Wigan Council's trading standards department has seized thousands of illegal and potentially dangerous cigarettes, tobacco, and e-cigarettes.

Approximately 110,000 packs of illegal cigarettes and around 14,000 illegal disposable e-cigarettes were seized, with a total value of about £170,000.

This includes an operation against a shop in Wigan Wallgate, which was found selling illegal e-cigarettes despite receiving warnings last month, with the seized illegal stock valued at £60,000.

The trading standards department also recently conducted a successful raid with Greater Manchester Police at a residence on Railway Road in Leigh. During this raid, approximately £80,000 worth of illegal tobacco and disposable e-cigarettes, as well as over £30,000 worth of counterfeit stamps, were seized, marking one of the largest seizures of its kind in the Wigan area.

Dan Anderton, a member of the council's cabinet for police, crime, and civil emergency affairs, stated: "These seizures are crucial for protecting our residents and young people from unscrupulous vendors.

"Illegal cigarettes, tobacco, and e-cigarettes undermine our local economy, as these businesses do not pay taxes to fund public services and operate below the prices of law-abiding shops.

"People are aware of the dangers of smoking, but the production of illegal cigarettes completely disregards legal standards, and the high nicotine content in illegal e-cigarettes may increase addiction potential.

"In the Wigan area, we have ensured the first three-month closure order against a shop selling e-cigarettes illegally to children. We will continue to actively combat those shops and businesses that violate the law."