Newham Council’s Trading Standards teamed up with specialist detection dogs to track down and seize illegal tobacco worth £25,000 at the weekend.
The crackdown was part of Operation CeCe, a national campaign that focuses on joint working between Trading Standards and HM Revenue and Customs.
The investigations remain ongoing and the seized products will now be fully assessed as part of the inquiry to determine the exact offences that have been committed.
Councillor Carleene Lee-Phakoe Cabinet Member for Crime & Community Safety said: “Illegal tobacco is dangerous and through our trading standards operations we are taking direct action to protect our residents by removing these harmful substances.
“Illegal cigarettes often do not include correct health warnings and appear in colourful packaging as opposed to the legal standardised packaging which uses only one specific deep green colour.
“I would like to say a big thank you to all those involved in this operation. This work has been fantastic and will protect and benefit many of our residents”.
Anyone who is prosecuted and convicted of being involved in selling or supplying illegal tobacco can face penalties including up to 10 years in prison and an unlimited fine.
If you have any information about the sale of illegal tobacco in Newham, please report it via the Citizens Advice Consumer Advice Line on 0808 223 1133.