Largest illegal tobacco haul in Lewisham

A Lewisham retailer has been found with over £100,000 worth of illegal tobacco – believed to be the biggest find by Trading Standards in the country.

On Saturday 22 March, a Lee High Road retailer was searched by Lewisham Council’s Trading Standards officers finding 600kg of illegal Chinese hand rolling tobacco, with a potential street value of over £100,000. The manager of the shop stated the premises did not sell or stock cigarettes. However, officers from Lewisham Council, with the help of a tobacco detection dog called Jack, sniffed out the substantial find in the shop and store room. The owner of the shop is now under investigation. In the same week, officers also seized 10,000 Chinese cigarettes and counterfeit hand rolling tobacco in Deptford, and 15,000 Russian cigarettes in Lee Green. Trading Standards are also investigating this further. Lewisham Council, the police and HM Customs, carry out targeted raids on premises considered to be selling illegal tobacco. Any proprietor found to stock or sell these will be liable to prosecution. Illegal tobacco can be reported anonymously by calling the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0845 404 0506.