SMOKED OUT : Officers seize more than 3,500 illegal cigarettes and vapes in Ricky

A Rickmansworth shop could face a fine of up to £10,000 after Trading Standards officers seized thousands of illegal cigarettes.

Inspectors raided the business as part of Operation CeCe, a joint initiative between National Trading Standards and HMRC, on Tuesday, August 6. They found 3,500 illegal cigarettes and more than 300 illicit vapes on sale.

If prosecuted, the business could face a fine of up to £10,000 for selling non-compliant tobacco and could lose their licence after a second offence.

Posting on social media, Hertfordshire County Council Trading Standards said: “Illicit tobacco is linked to organised crime and costs the UK an estimated £2.3billion a year in lost revenue. Report the sale of illegal tobacco or vapes to us via 0808 223 1133.”