Chris
7/25/2025 8:29:48 AM
4 mins read
An operation in Grimsby, concerned with stopping the sale of illegal tobacco products, has unearthed the lengths people will go to in hiding these products.
Led by North East Lincolnshire Council’s Trading Standards, in partnership with Humberside Police, teams inspected three businesses along Freeman Street, Grimsby. Joining them was professional dog handler Stuart Phillips and his dog Griff.
After officers conducted an initial conversation with those running the businesses, Stuart and Griff were invited into each premises to search for hidden products. These operations aim to stamp out the illegal trade of tobacco products in our borough and educate people on the impact using them may have on their health.
Councillor Ron Shepherd, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “keeping these products, that do not meet safety standards and are putting lives at risk, off the streets is our main priority. We know illicit and fake cigarettes do not comply with the Reduced Ignition Propensity requirements and won’t self-extinguish, so are likely to start a fire.
“When you buy these products, you could be putting your own health at risk. Not only has no duty been paid on them but they’ve not been tested to ensure they’re safe.”
Inside the first business, Griff indicated that something was hidden in the back of the property, which led to the discovery of illegal products, hidden by two electromagnetic loft hatches. In each hatch, there were hundreds of illegal vapes and illicit tobacco products.
Teams moved to the outside of the property where Griff indicated that something was present in the nearby building. Inside, officers discovered a large quantity of illegal vapes stashed between the machinery.
Speaking about the find, Councillor Ron Shepherd, said: “This was an amazing find and we’re thankful to all the teams involved for stopping these from being sold.
“This joint operation shows just how important it is to work together.”
By law, vapes should have an internal tank capacity of no more than 2ml, and the level of nicotine contained in the vaping fluid should not exceed 20mg/ml (or 2 per cent).
As with tobacco products, these items are required to display certain health warnings and every such device, and the liquid it contains, should be registered with the MHRA (Medicines and Health care products Regulatory Agency) prior to being released onto the market.
Teams conducted two further searches and found another hidden compartment. In one shop, a wall panel had been replaced by a make shift hatch which was being used to store the illegal products.
On the aspect of the impact smoking has on people’s health, Councillor Stan Shreeve, Portfolio Holder for Heath, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, said: “I urge smokers in our region to use the support services on offer to help them to quit smoking.
“We have so many examples of people turning their lives around completely after quitting smoking with support from the Wellbeing Team, and you only have to look at the figures released today to see what a positive impact that could have for everyone.”
“It’s never too late to stop smoking, and with professional help and stop smoking medication, people are three times more likely to quit for good.”
Chief Inspector Alasdair Booth, of Humberside Police, said: “On Wednesday, 23 July officers from the Grimsby East Neighbourhood Policing Team supported North East Lincolnshire Trading Standards with an operation which targeted vape shops suspected to be involved in criminality by selling illicit vapes, tobacco and counterfeit goods.
“The trading of illicit and counterfeit goods not only affects genuine businesses who trade within the law, the counterfeit and illicit goods also pose a serious risk to the public’s health, and Humberside Police is committed to working with Trading Standards to disrupt the supply of illegal goods and organised crime in the Humberside Police area.
“This operation was in direct response to concerns raised by the local community connected to some of the businesses that were targeted during the joint operation, and as a result, a significant amount of suspected illegal goods have been seized.
“As part of our Safer Streets Summer, you can expect to see our neighbourhood policing teams continue working with local authorities to tackle crime in areas across the region.”
To report the sale of illicit tobacco products, email trading.standards@nelincs.gov.uk or call (01472) 326299, option 3.
For more information on how to quit smoking, visit https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/health-wellbeing-and-social-care/health-and-wellbeing/stop-smoking/
