UK police seize thousands of illegal e-cigarettes worth over £60,000

Nov.06.2024
UK police seize thousands of illegal e-cigarettes worth over £60,000
Leeds police seize over £60,000 worth of illegal tobacco products, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and cannabis. Police warn the public that illegal tobacco is linked to organized crime.

Leeds police and the Trading Standards have seized over £60,000 worth of illegal cigarettes and e-cigarettes, according to ITV's report on November 5.

 

Last month, police conducted a two-day raid on multiple shops in the Leeds Harehills area, seizing illegal items worth a total of £62,796. These illicit items included 2,482 packs of cigarettes, 85 bags of hand-rolled tobacco, and 1,185 e-cigarettes.

 

In this operation, the police also seized over £25,000 worth of cannabis and arrested a suspect.

 

Kody Bradley, the lead officer for the operation in the region, stated, "This two-day operation is just part of our ongoing efforts with partners to bring lasting positive change to the lives and work of those in Harehills. I hope the community can feel reassured by our efforts to disrupt organized crime and track down those profiting from it."

 

Linda Davis, head of Trading Standards, added, "Collaboration is key to ensuring the safety of our local communities. The supply of illegal tobacco is by no means a victimless crime, with those involved often linked to organized crime gangs associated with drugs, modern slavery, and other illegal activities, making it easier for children to start smoking."

 

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

Guam DOE: Police to respond to all school-campus incidents involving minors and nicotine products
Guam DOE: Police to respond to all school-campus incidents involving minors and nicotine products
According to the Guam Department of Education (GDOE), police officers will now assist in handling incidents involving minor students who vape or use tobacco products on public school campuses, and cases may be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General.
Jan.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Interview | Prague Move Puts Eastern Europe in Focus for Nicotine Industry Event EVO NXT
2Firsts Interview | Prague Move Puts Eastern Europe in Focus for Nicotine Industry Event EVO NXT
EVO NXT will move to Prague in April 2026. As an event’s official media partner for four consecutive years, 2Firsts recently interviewed the organisers, who said the relocation reflects strong growth in Eastern European markets for alternative nicotine products. They described EVO NXT as not a traditional trade fair but a business festival shaped by rapid changes in regulation, markets and technological innovation across the global nicotine industry.
Feb.03
Exclusive: Altria Confirms FDA Grants Marketing Authorization to on! PLUS, Ending More Than a Year of PMTA Review
Exclusive: Altria Confirms FDA Grants Marketing Authorization to on! PLUS, Ending More Than a Year of PMTA Review
Altria on December 19 confirmed that six on! PLUS nicotine pouch products had received U.S. FDA marketing authorization, ending a PMTA review lasting more than a year after the company moved ahead with launch plans before clearance.
Regulations
Dec.20
UK South East Seized 3.1M Illegal Vapes Since 2021 as Crackdown Intensifies
UK South East Seized 3.1M Illegal Vapes Since 2021 as Crackdown Intensifies
Illegal vape seizures in the UK South East have risen sharply over the past five years, with 2023 marking the high point. While single-use vapes were banned from sale in June 2025, enforcement teams say disposable products remain in circulation, fueling renewed calls for licensing and stronger enforcement funding.
Jan.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Perak to stop issuing new vape licences, aiming for a phased “zero sales” outcome after October
Perak to stop issuing new vape licences, aiming for a phased “zero sales” outcome after October
Perak executive councillor Datuk Sivanesan said the state government aims to progressively reach a “zero” level of vape sales no later than after October, noting vape operators were clearly informed in October 2025.
Jan.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Six Years of Data Show FDA Clearing PMTA Backlog
Six Years of Data Show FDA Clearing PMTA Backlog
FDA data from FY2020 to FY2025 show how the PMTA system for e-cigarette products evolved after an early surge of submissions created prolonged front-end delays. Millions of applications accumulated at the Acceptance stage before entering substantive review. Since 2023, the number of applications pending acceptance has declined sharply, and industry participants report shorter initial decision timelines in late 2025.
Feb.06