Maidstone Town Team arranged with Trading Standards to attend a shop with intelligence to suggest they were selling illicit tobacco. Upon attendance nothing could be found, but due to searching shops regularly officers were able to spot the signs of “hides”. 

Officers found behind a mirror 582 boxes of illicit cigarettes. 5.3kg of illicit hand rolling tobacco and nine illegal vapes were located in the hide. With a value of approximately £7000. 

Maidstone Town Team will continue to search shops who are illegally selling tobacco and work alongside the council, HMRC and Trading Standards to combat this issue. 

Please contact us if you know of any shops conducting this business or report anonymously via Crimestoppers.