Latest news with #OperationFirecrest
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Newport operation seizes over 480,000 illegal cigarettes
The BBC report has highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Newport City Council's trading standards officers, who have been working in conjunction with law enforcement to tackle the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products in the city. As a part of their efforts, the officers have been working with landlords to ensure that only tenants with legitimate businesses are renting their properties. Operation Firecrest, which began in October 2023, has resulted in 87 seizures of illegal tobacco and vaping products throughout the city. The seized goods include 481,790 illegal cigarettes, 26,856 illegal disposable vaping devices, and 199.05kg of illegal hand-rolled tobacco, which is equivalent to 199,050 cigarettes. In total, the seized items are equivalent to approximately six million cigarettes, with an estimated value of around £1.85 million. The BBC accompanied the team as they carried out their work in various parts of the city, including a shopping district where five premises were previously selling illegal tobacco and vapes. All of these premises were taken to court, where magistrates issued closure orders. Two of the premises have changed their use, one is currently vacant, and another was recently closed down. A fifth has reopened, but is now believed to be trading lawfully. As part of another operation in 2023, a network of illegal tobacco sellers in Commercial Street was identified. This led to the removal of a significant amount of products from sale, and a residential address was raided where cannabis and cash were found. Five shops were subject to closure orders, and three individuals were charged with fraudulent trading, to which they later pleaded guilty. Councillor Mark Spencer, Newport City Council's cabinet member for communities and sport, said: "The illegal trade of tobacco and vapes is harmful to our residents and those communities where it is taking place. "We will not tolerate it in our neighbourhoods or our city. "I would like to thank our trading standards officers for their continued fight against these criminals and the partners they work with including the police and National Trading Standards. "Closure orders can only be for a limited period which is why the officers have been working with landlords. "We are grateful to those who have taken their advice in relation to the type of tenants they have and urge others to be vigilant. "We would welcome changes in the legislation which would strengthen the action that can be taken against those involved in the illegal trade and the premises they operate from."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Illegal vapes and cigarettes worth millions seized in police operation
A council has revealed that more than 480,000 illegal cigarettes and 26,856 illegal vapes have been seized as part of a police operation. The BBC report has highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Newport City Council's trading standards officers, who have been working in conjunction with law enforcement to tackle the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products in the city. As a part of their efforts, the officers have been working with landlords to ensure that only tenants with legitimate businesses are renting their properties. Operation Firecrest, which began in October 2023, has resulted in 87 seizures of illegal tobacco and vaping products throughout the city. The seized goods include 481,790 illegal cigarettes, 26,856 illegal disposable vaping devices, and 199.05kg of illegal hand-rolled tobacco, which is equivalent to 199,050 cigarettes. In total, the seized items are equivalent to approximately six million cigarettes, with an estimated value of around £1.85 million. Read more CCTV network outages sparks safety concerns in Newport city centre 'What is happening to our justice system?' Driver caught speeding at 46mph in 20mph zone The BBC accompanied the team as they carried out their work in various parts of the city, including a shopping district where five premises were previously selling illegal tobacco and vapes. All of these premises were taken to court, where magistrates issued closure orders. Two of the premises have changed their use, one is currently vacant, and another was recently closed down. A fifth has reopened, but is now believed to be trading lawfully. As part of another operation in 2023, a network of illegal tobacco sellers in Commercial Street was identified. This led to the removal of a significant amount of products from sale, and a residential address was raided where cannabis and cash were found. Five shops were subject to closure orders, and three individuals were charged with fraudulent trading, to which they later pleaded guilty. Councillor Mark Spencer, Newport City Council's cabinet member for communities and sport, said: "The illegal trade of tobacco and vapes is harmful to our residents and those communities where it is taking place. "We will not tolerate it in our neighbourhoods or our city. "I would like to thank our trading standards officers for their continued fight against these criminals and the partners they work with including the police and National Trading Standards. "Closure orders can only be for a limited period which is why the officers have been working with landlords. "We are grateful to those who have taken their advice in relation to the type of tenants they have and urge others to be vigilant. "We would welcome changes in the legislation which would strengthen the action that can be taken against those involved in the illegal trade and the premises they operate from."
Business News Wales
5 days ago
- Business News Wales
Newport Trading Standards Officers Work with Landlords to Stamp Out Illegal Tobacco Sales
Trading standards officers in Newport have seized illegal tobacco and vaping products with a value of around £1.85 million. Newport City Council said that as well as taking enforcement action including seeking closure orders and seizing unlawful cigarettes and vapes, the officers were also working with landlords to help them ensure they only allow tenants with legitimate businesses. Since Operation Firecrest began in October 2023, there have been 87 seizures of illegal tobacco and vaping products in the city. This included: 481,790 illegal cigarettes 199.05kg illegal hand-rolled tobacco (equivalent to 199,050 cigarettes) 26,856 illegal disposable vaping devices seized 168 million puffs from those devices 25 properties were forced to cease trading by legal closure orders All together this is equivalent to approximately 6 million cigarettes with a value of around £1.85 million. The BBC went out with some of the team as it carried out its work in different parts of the city, including one shopping district where five premises were previously selling illegal tobacco and vapes. In 2023, another operation identified a network of illegal tobacco sellers in Commercial Street which resulted in the removal of a significant amount of products from sale. Five shops were subject to closer orders and three people were charged with fraudulent trading to which they later pleaded guilty. Councillor Mark Spencer, Newport City Council's Cabinet member for communities and sport, said: 'The illegal trade of tobacco and vapes is harmful to our residents and those communities where it is taking place. We will not tolerate it in our neighbourhoods or our city. 'I would like to thank our trading standards officers for their continued fight against these criminals and the partners they work with including the police and National Trading Standards. 'As highlighted by the BBC, their dedication and commitment to stamping out the trade is having an impact and disrupting this criminal behaviour. 'Closure orders can only be for a limited period which is why the officers have been working with landlords. We are grateful to those who have taken their advice in relation to the type of tenants they have and urge others to be vigilant. 'We would welcome changes in the legislation which would strengthen the action that can be taken against those involved in the illegal trade and the premises they operate from.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
A Welsh council's crackdown on illegal tobacco being sold in city shops
Over two years, 25 shops have been ordered to close as part of a police and council initiative to stop illegal tobacco being sold in Newport. Operation Firecrest was a joint Newport council and South Wales Police scheme which started in October 2023. It has seen hundreds of thousands of illegal cigarettes seized as well as hand-rolled tobacco and vapes. As part of the crackdown, 25 properties were forced to stop trading via legal closure orders, the council say. While the closure orders are only temporary, the council say they have been working with landlords to ensure that any tenants are operating legally. The city was recently dubbed the UK's worst for empty shops, something people hit back at. READ MORE: Serious crash closes major Swansea road as public told to stay away - live updates READ MORE: Storm Floris weather maps track which parts of Wales will be hit hardest Over the course of the two year operation, the council say the following were seized: 481,790 illegal cigarettes illegal hand-rolled tobacco (equivalent to 199,050 cigarettes) 26,856 illegal disposable vaping devices seized 25 properties were forced to cease trading by legal closure orders Newport council say that in one shopping area, five premises were previously selling illegal tobacco and vapes and all were taken to court and magistrates issued closure orders. Two have changed use, one is vacant and another was closed recently. A fifth has reopened but appears to be now trading lawfully, the council say. In 2023, the council say an operation on Commercial Street saw a "significant amount of products" taken off sale. Five shops were subject to closer orders and three people were charged with fraudulent trading to which they later pleaded guilty. Councillor Mark Spencer said: "The illegal trade of tobacco and vapes is harmful to our residents and those communities where it is taking place. We will not tolerate it in our neighbourhoods or our city. "Closure orders can only be for a limited period which is why the officers have been working with landlords. We are grateful to those who have taken their advice in relation to the type of tenants they have and urge others to be vigilant. 'We would welcome changes in the legislation which would strengthen the action that can be taken against those involved in the illegal trade and the premises they operate from." The law has recently changed, and it is now illegal for businesses in Wales to sell or supply any single-use or disposable vapes. All vaping devices must now be both rechargeable and refillable to be legally sold or distributed.
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Wales Online
A Welsh council's crackdown on illegal tobacco being sold in city shops
A Welsh council's crackdown on illegal tobacco being sold in city shops In the last two years, 25 shops have been closed Illegal tobacco and vape products have been seized across the city (Image: PA) Over two years, 25 shops have been ordered to close as part of a police and council initiative to stop illegal tobacco being sold in Newport. Operation Firecrest was a joint Newport council and South Wales Police scheme which started in October 2023. It has seen hundreds of thousands of illegal cigarettes seized as well as hand-rolled tobacco and vapes. As part of the crackdown, 25 properties were forced to stop trading via legal closure orders, the council say. While the closure orders are only temporary, the council say they have been working with landlords to ensure that any tenants are operating legally. The city was recently dubbed the UK's worst for empty shops, something people hit back at. Over the course of the two year operation, the council say the following were seized: 481,790 illegal cigarettes illegal hand-rolled tobacco (equivalent to 199,050 cigarettes) 26,856 illegal disposable vaping devices seized 25 properties were forced to cease trading by legal closure orders Newport council say that in one shopping area, five premises were previously selling illegal tobacco and vapes and all were taken to court and magistrates issued closure orders. Two have changed use, one is vacant and another was closed recently. A fifth has reopened but appears to be now trading lawfully, the council say. In 2023, the council say an operation on Commercial Street saw a "significant amount of products" taken off sale. Five shops were subject to closer orders and three people were charged with fraudulent trading to which they later pleaded guilty. Councillor Mark Spencer said: "The illegal trade of tobacco and vapes is harmful to our residents and those communities where it is taking place. We will not tolerate it in our neighbourhoods or our city. "Closure orders can only be for a limited period which is why the officers have been working with landlords. We are grateful to those who have taken their advice in relation to the type of tenants they have and urge others to be vigilant. 'We would welcome changes in the legislation which would strengthen the action that can be taken against those involved in the illegal trade and the premises they operate from." Article continues below The law has recently changed, and it is now illegal for businesses in Wales to sell or supply any single-use or disposable vapes. All vaping devices must now be both rechargeable and refillable to be legally sold or distributed.
