Trading Standards Seize Tobacco & Alcohol In Wrexham Town Centre

5000 cigarettes have been seized from a property in following a raid in Wrexham Town Centre.

Wrexham Trading Standards working in partnership with HMRC, North Wales Police and Wagtail UK detection dogs, have visited a number of town centre premises following increasing concerns that illegal tobacco and alcohol is readily available in the town for supply.

During the operation on Wednesday 28th January, Trading Standards Officers seized 5000 cigarettes and enough hand rolling tobacco to make 1600 roll ups. Some alcoholic spirit was also seized.

These products and their suppliers are the subject of ongoing investigations by Trading Standards and HMRC.

Smoking is the single biggest cause of premature death in Wales and nearly 6000 people die every year of smoking related diseases. The equivalent of a classroom full of schoolchildren take up smoking every day in Wales, that’s 11,000 new recruits every year addicted to a lethal habit.

The availability of illegal tobacco makes it harder for smokers to quit and much easier for children to obtain cigarettes because the sellers don’t care how old their customers are.

The low price and availability of illegal alcohol fuels anti-social behaviour and, like illegal tobacco, makes it available and accessible to under age consumers. Some illegal alcohol can be highly dangerous and life threatening if consumed.

Cllr David A Bithell, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Environment and Public Protection said: “This operation is part of an ongoing campaign by the Trading Standards Service to clamp down on illegal traders that threaten the health of local people including our children. It also damages the local economy as legitimate retailers lose trade and the reputation of the town suffers.

“Make no mistake, those who trade in illegal goods such as tobacco and alcohol are putting the public at risk. I don’t want our children to become hooked on cigarettes nor do I want anyone in Wrexham to be at risk from consuming illegal alcohol. There have been incidents reported nationally of alcohol being sold which contains lethal levels of methanol.”

“Working with key partners Trading Standards will continue to do all they can to combat illegal trading in Wrexham; this will all help to make Wrexham a safer and more prosperous place to live and do business.”

Should local residents or businesses wish report any incidents of illegal trading to Trading Standards they should contact the Citizens Consumer Advice Service on 03454 04 05 06.