Joint Operation by Trading Standards and Law Enforcement in Darlington

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai

Dec.22.2023

Joint Operation by Trading Standards and Law Enforcement in Darlington

UK Darlington City Council Trading Standards and city enforcement officers assisted police in a joint operation uncovering illegal goods hidden in two vehicles.

According to British media outlet The Northern Echo, the Darlington City Council's Trading Standards Agency collaborated with city enforcement officers to assist the police in a joint operation.

During the operation, it was discovered that two vehicles were being used as containers to conceal illegal goods.

These businesses have been found to employ advanced covert tactics to store illegal cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Without the assistance of Griff, Bran, and Cooper (tobacco detection dogs from BWY Canine), identifying these items would be extremely difficult.

Shaun Trevor, the head of the trade standards team at Darlington City Council, has warned that anyone found selling illegal e-cigarettes or cigarettes, especially to children, can expect a visit from law enforcement.

He also stated that he will take further action to stop the circulation of these illegal products in Darlington and will maintain a zero-tolerance stance towards this illicit trade.

A total of 1269 packs of cigarettes, 250 packs of hand-rolled cigarettes, and nearly 500 e-cigarettes with nicotine concentrations exceeding the limit were seized in this operation. Many of the e-cigarettes were found to have a capacity of up to 9000 or 10000 puffs, well above the legal limit of 600 puffs.

References:

[1] Raids on Darlington shops seize hundreds of illegal cigarettes and vapes

Also Read:

[1] Unauthorized Changes to Red Power Shop Lead to Public Complaints

#Europe #Law enforcement #Traditional tobacco #United Kingdom #Illegal e-cigarettes #Enforcement

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 Observation | U.S. E-cigarette Regulation Enters Normalized Phase as Federal and State Authorities Tighten Compliance Frameworks

In just two months, U.S. authorities seized over 7 million illegal e-cigarettes. 2Firsts’ analysis reveals a shift toward institutionalized regulation, with federal and state agencies intensifying enforcement — signaling a major reset in the world’s largest and most influential vaping market.

Oct.28

Philippine BIR Will Destroys Nearly 450,000 Illicit Vape Products Over Unpaid Taxes

The Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue has led a nationwide destruction of illicit vape products, citing unpaid excise taxes and penalties amounting to 1.34 billion pesos(approximately US$22 million). Nearly 450,000 units are scheduled for destruction over three days across multiple revenue regions. The seized products violated excise tax laws due to non-payment of taxes, lack of internal revenue stamps, and non-registration of vape brands.

Dec.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Thai Cabinet Approves NHRC Proposal to Tighten E-Cigarette Regulation

Thailand’s Cabinet approved a National Human Rights Commission proposal to tighten e-cigarette regulation. The Health Ministry was instructed to raise public awareness on vaping risks and amend the 2017 Tobacco Control Act to cover all tobacco products, including vapes and new forms, while enforcing WHO FCTC Article 5.3 to prevent industry interference.

Oct.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai

South Korea Implements Law Requiring Full Disclosure of Tobacco Harmful Substances

South Korea has enacted the Tobacco Harm Management Act, effective November 1, 2025, requiring tobacco manufacturers and importers to test and report harmful substances in their products every two years. Results for all tobacco types—including combustible cigarettes, heated tobacco, and e-cigarettes—will be publicly available from mid-2026.