Oxford shop raids see 13,000 illegal cigarettes seized

Nearly nine kilograms of illegal tobacco, 13,000 illicit cigarettes, 123 units of nicotine patches and 51 single use vapes were seized by Oxfordshire County Council‘s Trading Standards team in a series of raids in Oxford.

Seven shops in Cowley and Headington were visited by the team with specialist tobacco detection dogs across March 29 and 31.

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The total street value of the haul was estimated to be £7,500.

Raids on seven shops in Cowley and Headington saw £7,500 worth of products seized (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

Investigations into the illegal sales are ongoing, with premises facing potential criminal prosecution and additional sanctions like civil financial penalties and licensing reviews.

People suspected of having no legal right to work in the UK were also identified during the raids, and trading standards said it is liaising with Immigration Enforcement.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “There is no such thing as a safe cigarette, but it is still very concerning that counterfeit versions are so widely available, sold at pocket money prices by criminals who don’t care who they sell to. 

“Thank you again to our brilliant team for their work.

The illegal tobacco included 13,000 illicit cigarettes, nicotine pouches and vapes (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

“We know it can be hard to stop smoking, but help is available to anyone living in Oxfordshire.

“People are three times more likely to successfully stop by using a service like Smokefree Oxfordshire. It’s free to everyone living in the county.”

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The raids were part of Operation CeCe, an HMRC-funded national initiative tackling the sale and supply of illegal tobacco products.

Davina Walkin, Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards operations manager, said: “The public can help us to create a healthier and safer Oxfordshire by being vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity, anonymously if preferred, using our hotline. 

“The illegal tobacco criminality is relentless at the moment – but so are we.”

 Illegal tobacco sales can be reported by calling 0300 999 6 999 or anonymously online at www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk.