UK Trading Standards Seize Over 33 Million Illicit Cigarettes
National Trading Standards and HM Revenue & Customs disclosed that more than 33 million illicit cigarettes and over 800 kg of hand‑rolling tobacco were confiscated from retail outlets across the United Kingdom in the past year. The haul is valued at roughly £24 million and has resulted in penalties totalling £3.5 million against retailers and individuals since the 2023 powers were introduced. The operation, branded Operation CeCe, targets organised criminal gangs that distribute untaxed tobacco through high‑street shops and vape stores, a practice that endangers public health and fuels wider criminality.
In a related local enforcement action, Muzy Mini Market on Merridale Road in Wolverhampton was found with 1,977 illegal cigarettes, an additional 2,500 non‑duty‑paid cigarettes, non‑compliant vapes, banned lighters and counterfeit energy drinks. The shop’s licence is being reviewed, with the licence ultimately cancelled and transferred back to Mashda Bakhtiar Ali after a director was incorrectly listed on the application. Authorities also identified a staff member without the right to work in the UK during the inspection.
Entities: HM Revenue & Customs · Lord Bichard · Muzy Mini Market (Wolverhampton) · National Trading Standards · Zoe Gascoyne
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The confiscated haul also included over 800 kg of hand‑rolling tobacco. (National Trading Standards and HMRC)
- [● 2 SOURCES] More than 33 million illicit cigarettes were confiscated from UK retail outlets over the past year. (National Trading Standards and HMRC)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Operation CeCe is a collaborative effort between National Trading Standards and HM Revenue & Customs. (National Trading Standards and HMRC)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The seized items have an estimated combined revenue value of around £24 million. (National Trading Standards and HMRC)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Penalties totalling £3.5 million have been levied against retailers and individuals since 2023. (National Trading Standards and HMRC)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Organised criminal gangs control the illicit tobacco market and distribute products through high‑street shops and vape stores. (National Trading Standards and HMRC)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The shop’s licence was cancelled and transferred back to Mashda Bakhtiar Ali after a director was wrongly named on the application. (City of Wolverhampton Council)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Muzy Mini Market in Wolverhampton was found with 1,977 illegal cigarettes, 2,500 non‑duty‑paid cigarettes, non‑compliant vapes, banned lighters and counterfeit energy drinks. (City of Wolverhampton Council inspection)