TENS of thousands of illegal cigarettes and tobacco packets have been seized in Dudley as trading standards bosses vowed to continue their crackdown.

Seizures have doubled in the borough shops in the past year after Dudley Council’s trading standards raided 10 shops, detaining 78,000 illegal cigarettes and 519 packets of illegal tobacco – a haul with a street value of more than £16,000.

Two prosecutions have already taken place with several more currently underway through the courts following visits by officers to 168 premises.

Councillor Peter Miller, Dudley Council’s cabinet member responsible for trading standards, said: “This is far from a victimless crime. Illegal tobacco trade creates a cheap source for children and young people.

“Whilst all tobacco is harmful, the illegal tobacco market, and in particular the availability of cheap cigarettes, makes it harder for smokers to quit and remain smoke free.

“The loss to the tax payer means less money being spent on local communities, schools and the NHS.

“Our trading standards officers are doing some excellent work to clamp down on this issue and rest assured, anyone selling illegal products could face serious penalties through the courts.”

Trading standards are continuing to crackdown on the issue through a range of measures, including spot checks and test purchases.

Nationally, more than 5.5 million illegal cigarettes and 645kg of hand rolling tobacco – with a retail value in excess of £2.5 million – were seized within the Central England Trading Standards Authorities (CEnTSA) at a loss of more than £2 million to the tax payer.

Bob Charnley, chairman of CEnTSA, added: “More and more people over the past few years have decided enough is enough and are providing information to trading standards, to stop local criminals selling and distributing illegal tobacco.

“Combating illegal tobacco has become an increasing priority for trading standards. The illegal tobacco trade has strong links with crime and criminal gangs, including drug dealing, money laundering, people trafficking and even terrorism.”

Anyone being offered cheap tobacco or any other types of illicit goods should report it to trading standards by calling 0300 303 2636.