Darlington Borough Council's trading standards officers have removed thousands of illegal cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco from circulation following a multi-agency operation targeting cash-based businesses across the town.

The week-long operation involved trading standards officers, civic enforcement, Durham Constabulary, the Government Agency Intelligence Network (GAIN), the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) and Immigration Enforcement. Officers visited 13 premises suspected of illegal trading, including mini-markets, barbers, nail bars, fast food outlets and one residential property.

What was seized

Illegal cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco with an estimated retail value of almost £7,500 were seized from 4 Seasons Market and Darlington Mini Market on Gladstone Street. A further £2,000 in cash was seized as suspected proceeds of crime.

During the operation, police officers observed workers from the Gladstone Street premises attempting to dispose of illegal tobacco products by throwing bags onto the roofs of neighbouring properties and into nearby back yards.

Additional concerns identified

Three suspected illegal workers were identified at other premises visited during the day and are now subject to investigation by Immigration Enforcement.

Poor hygiene standards at several premises were referred to environmental health officers. Evidence of food products being offered for sale without the required English-language labelling was also passed to environmental health.

Background and enforcement

The operation followed extensive investigation and intelligence-gathering under Operation Machinize, the National Crime Agency-coordinated project to tackle money laundering and criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses.

Councillor Jim Garner, cabinet member for stronger communities, said: "We take the illegal sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products very seriously and are committed to taking positive and hard-hitting action on businesses which pose a risk to the health and wellbeing of our communities, particularly those which attempt to sell harmful products to children, exploit vulnerable people and undermine local, honest businesses."

Inspector David Littlefair, from Darlington Neighbourhood Police Team, added: "This type of criminal activity helps fund organised crime groups and goes hand-in-hand with drug dealing, child exploitation and money laundering. We remain committed to protecting our local communities from the very real dangers posed by these businesses and continue to work closely with the council to end these illegal operations."

Report illegal tobacco sales

Anyone with information about the sale of illegal vapes, tobacco and cigarettes in Darlington is encouraged to report this to the council's trading standards team via email at tradingstandards@darlington.gov.uk or using the online form at www.darlington.gov.uk/ts-report-it. Information can also be reported to police on 101 or via https://www.durham.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/