Oxfordshire seizes more than 1.1 million illegal cigarettes

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 15:05 · Archive

Oxfordshire County Council has seized more than 1.1 million illegal cigarettes as part of a nine-year crackdown on illicit tobacco.

Oxfordshire County Council's trading standards teams have seized more than 1.1 million illegal cigarettes as part of a crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade. The seizures also include 96kg of hand-rolling tobacco and 183kg of shisha. The enforcement project, which began nine years ago, has carried out 92 seizures in total.

The operation has led to 42 successful prosecutions, with 41 resulting in guilty pleas and one following a trial. Sentences have totalled 128 months' imprisonment, including 72 months suspended. Twelve premises licence review applications resulted in five licence revocations and four suspensions. Trading standards teams also made 84 successful test purchases.

Councillor Kate Gregory, cabinet member for public health and inequalities, said the milestone demonstrates sustained effort to tackle the illicit trade. She noted that illegal tobacco undermines legitimate businesses and makes smoking available at pocket-money prices. Davina Walkin, trading standards operations manager, said the achievement reflects nine years of determined enforcement work supported by Thames Valley Police, with many more cases under investigation or before the courts.

How it is being reported

• More than 1.1 million illegal cigarettes seized in crackdownMore than one million illegal cigarettes have been seized as part of a major crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade.Oxford Mail · 4 Nov, 14:17
• More than 1.1 million illegal cigarettes seized in crackdownMore than one million illegal cigarettes have been seized as part of a major crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade.Oxfordshire Guardian · 4 Nov, 14:17

In this story: Oxfordshire County Council · Oxfordshire · Thames Valley Police · Kate Gregory · Davina Walkin

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