Last week, my office joined Trading Standards South West and Devon & Cornwall Police in a major operation targeting the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes. This nationally funded initiative was part of Operation CeCe, a coordinated effort to disrupt the availability of dangerous and unregulated tobacco products across the Southwest.
The operation focused on premises suspected of selling illegal tobacco and vapes—products that are not only easily accessible to young people but often have links to serious and organised crime. These illegal sales undermine public health efforts, fund wider criminal activities, and put our communities at risk.
Over Thursday and Friday, Heart of the South West Trading Standards (HOTSWTS) officers, supported by Devon & Cornwall Police, carried out enforcement visits at premises in Torquay and Exeter.
Specialist sniffer dogs Cooper, Griff, and Bran, along with illegal cash detection dog Maggie, played a crucial role in uncovering hidden contraband. Their keen noses helped locate illegal tobacco, vapes, and cash at every single location visited.
Illegal cigarettes, tobacco and vapes with a selling on value of more than £16,000 were seized in total including almost 500 pouches of tobacco, more than 1,000 packets of cigarettes and more than 250 illegal vapes.
Criminals behind these illegal operations are becoming increasingly sophisticated in hiding their stockpiles. Officers discovered elaborate concealment methods, including a fake fridge with a hydraulic opening mechanism used to stash illegal goods.
Despite these deceptive tactics, the expertise of Trading Standards officers, the support of local police, and the use of highly trained dogs meant the team was always one step ahead.
While some may see cheap, unregulated tobacco and vapes as a harmless way to save money, the reality is much darker. These products are often tied to organised criminal networks involved in far more serious offences, including drug trafficking, modern slavery and exploitation of vulnerable people.
Illegal tobacco and vapes not only fuel criminal activity but also pose a significant public health risk. These unregulated products often fail to meet safety standards, contain harmful unknown substances, and are frequently sold at pocket money prices, making them particularly attractive to children.
Trading Standards plays a key role in our collective mission to protect communities across Devon and Cornwall. Their small but highly effective team works tirelessly to disrupt the sale of illegal products while also tackling fraud, animal welfare issues, underage sales of restricted items, and complex food safety concerns.
As Police and Crime Commissioner, I am proud to see Devon & Cornwall Police working in partnership with Trading Standards to tackle these pressing issues. This regional operation was a great example of teamwork in action, delivering real results for public safety.
I know parents, in particular, will be reassured by this work, as I know they are frightened of the potential harm caused by illegal tobacco and vapes, which often contain many times the amount of nicotine than usual. The safety of children and young people is a top concern, and the removal of these dangerous, unregulated products from the streets is a positive step forward.
Enforcement action is crucial, but community intelligence is just as important. If you have concerns about illegal tobacco or vape sales, especially to young people, please report it to Trading Standards or Citizens’ Advice. By playing your part to reduce crime you can help to keep your community safe from harm.
- Trading Standards South West: www.tssw.org.uk/report-it
- Citizens Advice: 0808 223 1133
Every report helps disrupt criminal activity, protect public health, and make Devon & Cornwall a safer place for everyone.
Together, we can combat crime, safeguard our communities, and protect the most vulnerable in society.