Massive Haul of Dodgy Cigs and Vapes Nabbed in One-Day Sting

Trading Standards officers and Humberside Police snagged a whopping 90,000 cigarettes, 20 kilos of tobacco and 4,800 suspicious vapes from shops in Grimsby and Cleethorpes in a single day. Part of an intelligence-led operation, the raids took place in several locations, including Pasture Street and Cross Coates Road in Grimsby, and Cross Street and High Street in Cleethorpes. Some of the shops had crafty hidden storage spaces, opened by an electromagnetic switch, which were busted open upon detection by the keen noses of search dogs Cooper, Griff and Bran. The estimated value of the seized goods is a staggering £142,500. This sting is a part of ongoing Operations CeCe and Joseph, joint efforts between National Trading Standards and HMRC, aimed at stamping out the illegal trade of oversized, disposable vapes. Since the operations started in January 2021, the team has confiscated a mind-boggling array of illegal nicotine products worth almost £2.2 million. Councillor Ron Shepherd emphasised the importance of such operations, noting that they keep unsafe products off the streets and potentially out of the hands of organised crime. To report any suspicious tobacco products sales, locals can reach out to trading.standards@nelincs.gov.uk or call (01472) 326299, option 3.