Police in Kent County seize illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes

Aug.07.2024
Police in Kent County seize illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes
Kent police raided eight shops in Gravesend, uncovering illegal e-cigarettes, untaxed cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and tobacco hidden in secret compartments.

According to a report by the BBC on August 6th, Kent Police discovered illegal e-cigarettes, untaxed cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and tobacco in eight shops in Gravesend, England.

Police in Kent County seize illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes
Gravesend Eight shops discovered illegal e-cigarettes, untaxed cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and tobacco. Image source: Kent Police Department.


These illegal items were found hidden behind a false wall and in other concealed areas of the store.


On Monday (5th), Kent Police, Kent Trading Standards, and the licensing department of Gravesham Borough Council conducted surprise inspections of these shops.


A police spokesperson stated that the authorities seized 881 illegal e-cigarettes, 44,180 illegal cigarettes, 126 nicotine pouches, and 8.65 kilograms of tobacco, as well as 103 packets of shisha.


Police Inspector Kirsty Dunne stated that...


This operation demonstrates the severity of the issue and the 'extreme measures' people take to avoid being caught. Selling illegal cigarettes and tobacco poses serious health risks to consumers and hinders law-abiding businesses.


In June, according to survey data released by Vape Superstore, one third of e-cigarettes sold in the UK between January 1st and February 29th 2023 did not meet regulations. Kent County Council confiscated the highest number of illegal e-cigarettes in the UK, totaling 431,005. Many of these illegal e-cigarettes entered through the European tunnel terminals and the port of Dover.


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

Product | Dual-flavor, 30,000-puff SKE 2-in-1 launches across multiple UK distributor platforms.
Product | Dual-flavor, 30,000-puff SKE 2-in-1 launches across multiple UK distributor platforms.
E-cigarette brand SKE has listed its “30K Pro Max” bundle across multiple UK e-commerce platforms. The 2-in-1 device features dual flavors with a twist-to-switch design, draw activation, and mesh heating, with a claimed total of up to 30,000 puffs. Across several channels, single-unit pricing ranges from about £8.99 to £10.99.
Oct.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korea Publishes List of Major Tax Delinquents: Vape Wholesaler Owes Over USD 15.5 Million
South Korea Publishes List of Major Tax Delinquents: Vape Wholesaler Owes Over USD 15.5 Million
The Korea Customs Service (KCS) has released a list of 236 habitual and large-scale customs tax delinquents with total unpaid taxes amounting to approximately USD 917 million. Among them, a vape wholesaler tops the individual list, owing about USD 15.57 million, while another vape-related company owes roughly USD 12.02 million.
Nov.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
£600,000 of Illegal Goods Seized in West Yorkshire Raids Targeting Vape and Tobacco Laundering
£600,000 of Illegal Goods Seized in West Yorkshire Raids Targeting Vape and Tobacco Laundering
Nearly £600,000 worth of illegal goods were seized in coordinated raids across West Yorkshire as part of Operation Machinize, a nationwide crackdown targeting cash-intensive businesses suspected of laundering money through mini-markets, vape shops, and barbershops.
Nov.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Smoore’s Q3 Revenue Hits Record High, Reflecting Structural Growth in Global HNB and E-Vapor Markets
Smoore’s Q3 Revenue Hits Record High, Reflecting Structural Growth in Global HNB and E-Vapor Markets
Smoore posted record-high Q3 2025 revenue, driven by growth in both HNB and e-vapor segments, reflecting ongoing expansion of the global next-generation tobacco industry amid compliance and structural upgrades.
Oct.12
Ohio Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal of Lawsuit Against E-Cigarette Retailer, Deepening State-Federal Regulatory Dispute
Ohio Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal of Lawsuit Against E-Cigarette Retailer, Deepening State-Federal Regulatory Dispute
Ohio Appeals Court Rejects State Attorney General's Lawsuit Against E-Cigarette Retailer, Emphasizing FDA Regulatory Authority.
Oct.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai
China’s E-Cigarette Exports Rise to USD 1.098 Billion in October 2025, Up 23.7% Year-on-Year as U.S. Demand Surges
China’s E-Cigarette Exports Rise to USD 1.098 Billion in October 2025, Up 23.7% Year-on-Year as U.S. Demand Surges
China’s e-cigarette exports reached USD 1.098 billion in October 2025, rising 24.8% month-on-month and 23.7% year-on-year, according to the latest data released by the General Administration of Customs of China. Export concentration increased to 83.11%, with the U.S. market contributing the largest share of monthly growth.
Nov.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai