fake richmond cigarettes Warning to city shop owners as thousands of dangerous counterfeit seized in raids Fake cigarettes 'cost UK economy

When Trading Standards and border agencies seize fake cigarettes and send them for analysis, the results often reveal unpleasant surprises: Higher than expected levels of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide Tobacco bulked out with other plant material, dust or floor sweepings Traces of mould, insect parts or rodent droppings Unidentified chemicals not found in regulated products The lack of quality control means each batch can vary significantly

The jury did not buy it for one minute." Richard Paris, assistant director in HMRCs Fraud Investigation Service, said: This gang was large, organised, sophisticated and determined to break the law

Some of these shoppers are increasingly moving into roll-your-own cigarettes, but as a result, they tend to buy less frequently

Campbell pleaded guilty to three offences contrary to the Trade Marks Act 1994 for possessing counterfeit cigarettes in the course of business with a view to selling them and a further offence contrary to the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 for possessing for supply tobacco products without the required health warnings