Wigan Council and Police Seize Illegal Cigarettes and Vapes Worth £145,000

Dec.25

Wigan Council said its Trading Standards team, working with Greater Manchester Police, has seized large quantities of illegal cigarettes and vaping products across the borough in 2025. The confiscated goods, valued at around £145,000, were linked to multiple enforcement actions, including the temporary closure of retail premises and criminal prosecutions. The council said the measures aim to reduce risks posed by illicit tobacco and vape products, particularly to children.

Key Points

Trading Standards and police seized 20,767 packs of illegal cigarettes, 1,418 packs of hand-rolled tobacco and 2,812 vapes;
The total estimated value of seized products was £145,000 (approximately US$184,000);
Two retailers were closed for two to three months following repeated violations;
One individual was prosecuted after illicit products worth over £66,000 (around US$84,000) were seized;
The council said enforcement efforts against illegal traders will continue.

2Firsts, 2025，25 – According to Wigan Council, its Trading Standards team, in partnership with Greater Manchester Police, has carried out sustained enforcement action against illegal tobacco and vaping products across the borough this year.

The operation resulted in the seizure of 20,767 packs of illegal cigarettes, 1,418 packets of hand-rolled tobacco and 2,812 vaping devices, with an estimated total value of £145,000 (approximately US$184,000).

In Leigh, Brys Mini Market was ordered to close for three months following repeated seizures of illicit tobacco and vaping products. In Wigan town centre, Euroshop was closed for more than two months after underage sales and seizures of illegal tobacco.

In addition, an individual from Leigh was prosecuted after authorities seized 5,100 packs of illicit cigarettes and 1,300 illegal vapes, valued at more than £66,000 (around US$84,000). In a separate case, a vehicle used to store illegal tobacco was seized in Tyldesley.

Wigan Council said the illegal products pose risks to residents, particularly children, and that coordinated enforcement involving Trading Standards, police and other partners will continue.

Cover image source: BBC

References:

[1] £140k of illegal cigarettes and vapes seized in crackdown on rogue traders

Also Read:

[1] Two Taunton Shops Closed After Seizure of Illegal Tobacco and Vapes

[2] £600,000 of Illegal Goods Seized in West Yorkshire Raids Targeting Vape and Tobacco Laundering

[3] UK’s Nationwide Crackdown Seizes 111,000 Illegal Vapes in “Machinize 2” Operation

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