LONDON: More than 6,000 illegal cigarettes were seized from business premises in Merthyr Tydfil as Trading Standards carried out a series of raids in a crack down on the illicit cigarette trade.
According to the council, all the cigarettes seized had foreign labelling and will now be examined to determine whether they are also counterfeit.
They say the sale of cheap, imported and illegal cigarettes undermines legitimate business in the town who abide by the legislative controls over tobacco.
Of particular concern to Trading Standards was the link between cheap cigarettes and the ease of access to the products by children.
Illegal cigarettes were seized during a test purchase operation in Merthyr earlier this month
According to the council, on Tuesday, May 31, Christine Williams, 51, of Williams Terrace in Treharris, pleaded guilty at Merthyr Magistrates’ Court to supplying illegal cigarettes from her home to a 13-year-old boy and an undercover council officer.
Following these sales, Trading Standards raided the property where cigarettes and tobacco were seized.
The council said these products were found to be counterfeit and also failed safety tests on ignition propensity.
