Illegal cigarettes, tobacco and vapes seized by Southend Council Trading Standards and Essex Police following raids on premises across the city

April 15, 2026

In a joint operation, officers visited several shops in central Southend, seizing illegal items valued at nearly £25,000. The cigarettes were found to be either counterfeit or ‘cheap whites’ which are manufactured in Asia and the Middle East and have been proven to contain very poor-quality tobacco and toxic substances, such as rat poison and asbestos. All the hand rolling tobacco seized was found to be counterfeit versions of popular brands such as Golden Virginia.

Also seized were vaping devices that should not be legally sold in the UK and soft toys, such as Labubu dolls, which do not confirm to UK toy safety regulations.

All items seized were being offered at vastly reduced prices when compared to legitimate products and represent a heightened safety risk to the public. The sale of such items also undermines responsible local businesses.

Officers also searched vehicles near the city centre, discovering large quantities of illegal tobacco products that were being distributed to the shops nearby. Some of the vehicles had no road tax and MOT and were seized by Essex Police.

Businesses and individuals that continue to flout the law by selling, storing and distributing illegal products to the general public will be relentlessly pursued by Trading Standards and Essex Police until they operate responsibly. The profits enjoyed by businesses engaged in selling illegal tobacco products are also known to be financing the activities of organised crime groups.

Those persons found to be responsible will face the appropriate sanction which can include large fines, criminal prosecution and in some cases custodial sentences.

A council Trading Standards spokesperson said: “This operation sends a clear message: illegal and unsafe products have no place in Southend. Our officers, working alongside Essex Police, have removed tens of thousands of pounds’ worth of dangerous cigarettes, tobacco, vapes and counterfeit toys from our streets — items that put people’s health at risk and undermine honest local businesses.

"We will continue to take bold and decisive action against anyone selling or supplying illegal goods. If you choose to break the law, expect firm enforcement, but for everyone else, our aim is simple: to help keep Southend safe and support the businesses who play by the rules.”