TRADING Standards officers have seized almost £4,000 worth of illegal tobacco after discovering it hidden in a car linked to a Forest of Dean shop.

During a routine inspection of the premises, officers found a large quantity of illegal tobacco stored in a vehicle parked at the rear of the shop. Evidence gathered during the investigation connected the car to the business, suggesting the tobacco was being kept off-site to avoid detection.

It is becoming increasingly common for stores to keep illegal tobacco off-site to avoid detection during inspections. Gloucestershire Trading Standards carries out regular checks across the county to ensure illegal products are not being sold to the public and to deter organised criminal activity.

Officers were able to seize 343 packets of cigarettes and 97 pouches of hand rolling tobacco, including counterfeit copies of well-known brands such as Amber Leaf and Lambert and Butler. The total value of the haul was approximately £3,800.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, cabinet member responsible for Trading Standards at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Our Trading Standards officers carry out regular inspections of stores across the county to ensure they are not selling illegal products.

“No one benefits from shops selling illegal tobacco and vape products, and our teams work hard to prevent these items being sold. These inspections are vital in protecting local communities, safeguarding public health, and stopping criminal activity.”

The investigation into the shop is ongoing, with officers continuing to gather evidence and review sales records.

Those found selling counterfeit or illegal tobacco face potential fines and legal action, and the seizure highlights the continued efforts of local authorities to protect communities and ensure retailers comply with the law.

Trading Standards is urging anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco or vaping products to come forward to assist ongoing investigations.