Maidstone Town Team have been gathering intelligence in relation to
the sale of illegal or counterfeit cigarettes. Patrols entered the business
premises on Upper Stone Street at around 3pm on Friday 28 February to carry
out an inspection, alongside partners from Maidstone Borough Council and
KCC Trading Standards. Almost 20kg of illicit tobacco and around 2,000 packets of illegal
cigarettes (or 40,000 individual cigarettes) being sold to fund organised
crime have been seized for destruction from a shop in Maidstone. The
confiscated goods have an estimated recommended retail price of £45,356. During the search, officers found two hides; one of which required a
strong magnet to open. The other was accessed by operating a modified light
switch. Alongside the hoard of illicit tobacco products, an air-powered
revolver was retrieved, for which the business did not have the appropriate
licences to sell. The work being done by the team and the intelligence provided by
members of public have helped fuel our searches and inspections. Helping
take funding away from organised crime groups. Investigating officer, PC Cunningham, said: ‘Counterfeit tobacco and vape products pose serious health risks to
users. Their manufacture is not regulated meaning they often contain higher
levels of chemicals, as well as ingredients not fit for human consumption,
such as animal hair and human faeces. ‘In a wider, detrimental impact to the community, those involved in
the production and distribution of such goods are often connected with
organised crime groups. These criminals have not only been found to breach
employment regulations, but often participate in illegal activities such as
human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and drug smuggling. ‘In choosing to purchase the often cheaper, illicit tobacco and
vape products, members of the public are not only compromising their health
but are unknowingly funding abhorrent crimes. ‘We urge anyone with information about the sale of these items to
contact Kent Police, or report concerns anonymously via Crimestoppers.’ Please see below articles regarding the dangers of using
fake/counterfeit nicotine products. Warning
over fake vaping devices after test in Derby reveals one had three
'poisons' | ITV News Central Counterfeit
Nicotine Pouches Pose Rising Health Risks, Warn Experts | Psychreg | 
