Illegal tobacco seized in Bradford Print 29th January 2021 An operation between West Yorkshire Trading Standards and West Yorkshire Police has resulted in a seizure of 125,000 cigarettes and 4.9kg of hand-rolling tobacco. The Tackling Illicit Tobacco for Better Health Programme, funded by the five Public Health departments, uses multi-agency enforcement and community marketing campaigns to tackle the problems of the illicit trade. Two premises were visited in which illegal practices were taking place. The premises were identified from intelligence and complaints passed to West Yorkshire Trading Standards by members of the public and partner agencies. Illicit tobacco was hidden behind the counter, among food on the shelves, and in a cellar outside the shop. Some of the tobacco products were counterfeit, did not bear the statutory health warnings, were not in standardised packaging, and were non-duty paid. If genuine, the value of the cigarettes seized would be more than £60,000, with a loss of duty to the taxpayer of almost £40,000. A large quantity of cash was also seized by the police.