Covert hiding places used to store illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes.

Oct.31.2023
Covert hiding places used to store illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes.
UK police and Trading Standards officials discovered over £100,000 worth of illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes in two shops in Dewsbury.

According to a report from Talkingretail, the police in West Yorkshire, UK, in collaboration with the Trading Standards Agency, recently carried out a joint operation where they conducted surprise raids on two shops in the town of Dewsbury. During these raids, they seized tobacco and e-cigarettes worth over £100,000. It was found that some of the confiscated e-cigarette liquid exceeded the legal limit of 2 milliliters for disposable e-cigarettes.

Covert hiding places used to store illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes.
Hideout | Image Source: Talkingretail


A search dog discovered secret concealed items in a hidden wall behind a bathroom mirror, which had the ability to slide up and down within its frame. Stuart Clarke, patrol captain of the Dusbury and Milford community police force, described the clever methods used to hide illegal products.


He mentioned, "Some shops hide tobacco in specially designed hiding places, evoking thoughts of James Bond-style secret devices." He further added, "In one case, the removal of a fake fuse on an electrical consumption panel revealed a secret storage cabinet filled with illegal tobacco.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

2Firsts Special Report|China’s Nicotine Pouch Manufacturing Goes Global: A Supply Chain Reshaped and Redirected
2Firsts Special Report|China’s Nicotine Pouch Manufacturing Goes Global: A Supply Chain Reshaped and Redirected
China’s nicotine pouch manufacturing expanded rapidly in 2024 but cooled sharply in 2025. Meanwhile, global demand continued to grow strongly, with multinational tobacco companies increasing investment, prompting some Chinese manufacturers to accelerate the shift of production to Southeast Asia and Europe.
Nov.21
China Opens 2026 National E-Cigarette Standards Project for Public Submissions
China Opens 2026 National E-Cigarette Standards Project for Public Submissions
The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA) jointly announced the launch of the 2026 National Standardization Project for E-cigarettes. The initiative, coordinated by the National Technical Committee on Standardization of E-cigarettes, aims to enhance the industry’s regulatory framework through new standards on manufacturing, storage, distribution, and evaluation.
Nov.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Observation|U.S. Launches Largest-Ever Vape Enforcement Drive as Federal and State Authorities Tighten Regulations
2Firsts Observation|U.S. Launches Largest-Ever Vape Enforcement Drive as Federal and State Authorities Tighten Regulations
The U.S. has tightened vaping regulations nationwide. The DOJ, FDA, CBP and DEA seized millions of illegal devices in the largest-ever enforcement action. Several states introduced new laws with registries, packaging limits, and criminal penalties, signaling a shift toward institutionalized regulation and higher compliance costs.
Oct.17
EU to consider Denmark's proposal for stricter tobacco tax reforms. Heating tobacco tax could increase by 132%, nicotine pouch tax by up to 1000%. 92% opposed to overall tax hike in public consultation. Concerns raised over taxing innovative smoke-free pr
EU to consider Denmark's proposal for stricter tobacco tax reforms. Heating tobacco tax could increase by 132%, nicotine pouch tax by up to 1000%. 92% opposed to overall tax hike in public consultation. Concerns raised over taxing innovative smoke-free pr
EU to debate Denmark's proposal to increase tobacco taxes, including a 132% hike for heated tobacco and 1000% for nicotine pouches.
Dec.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
British Museum Ends Long-Running Sponsorship with Japan Tobacco International
British Museum Ends Long-Running Sponsorship with Japan Tobacco International
According to The Guardian, the British Museum has ended its 15-year sponsorship with Japan Tobacco International after government inquiries into whether the deal breached WHO tobacco-control rules. Critics had long opposed the partnership, while the museum said sponsorship remains essential for its financial stability and public access.
Nov.20
UK Launches Call for Evidence to Shape New Tobacco and Vapes Regulations
UK Launches Call for Evidence to Shape New Tobacco and Vapes Regulations
The UK's Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched an eight-week comprehensive call for evidence to inform new regulations under the forthcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill, with a deadline of December 3, 2025. The initiative aims to systematically gather evidence on vape flavors, ingredients, nicotine levels, and product design, as well as proposals for an omnichannel retail licensing scheme for tobacco and vapes and a new product registration system.
Nov.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai