Illegal tobacco seized from home of Bodmin market trader

TRADING standards officers swooped on a Bodmin market trader’s home and seized 72 packs of illegal cigarettes and tobacco.  They had been tipped off by members of the public who had spotted a number of unusual brands being sold from a stall on Sunday mornings. Unlike the tobacco pictured here, the 72 packs seized from a Bodmin market trader did not comply with UK labelling legislation

Following a brief investigation, a warrant was executed at the trader’s home in St Columb Major, leading to the seizure. None of the tobacco sold complied with UK tobacco labelling legislation. Elizabeth Kirk, senior trading standards officer with Cornwall Council, said: “With its proven links to wider criminal activity and the financial detriment that it causes to legitimate traders, Cornwall Trading Standards is dedicated to tackling the sale of illegal tobacco within Cornwall. “Cheap tobacco sold with no age verification checks in place gives our children cheap, easy access to tobacco products and undermines the quit attempts of existing smokers. Cornwall Trading Standards work in partnership with Smokefree Southwest in order to combat sales across the region.” She urged anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco to contact CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or report it online at www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk