Local MP David Morris has been presented with evidence of the widespread illegal tobacco trade in Morecambe and Lunesdale, and has committed to stamp it out.
The illegal tobacco was purchased from a mix of locations across Morecambe and Lunesdale during February. The evidence gathered can be used to secure convictions with penalties of up to a 7 year custodial sentence.
The evidence obtained by Japan Tobacco International (JTI) through a series of test purchases was presented to Mr Morris this week. All of the tobacco collected was Non- UK Duty Paid (NUKDP) which can include products which are counterfeit versions of genuine tobacco brands, illicit whites (which are tobacco products manufactured specifically to be smuggled) brought into the UK and sold on illegally- in short, it is any product which has avoided paying UK duties.
The problem of illegal tobacco is serious and widespread: HMRC’S mid-point estimates show that, in 2013/14, £2.1 billion in tax revenue was lost because of tobacco smuggling and , according to HMRC, ‘The sale of smuggled cigarettes is unregulated and those products are often sold to children and young people’
Speaking after seeing the evidence for himself, David Morris MP said ‘ I was extremely shocked to see the extent of the illegal tobacco being sold in Morecambe and Lunesdale. I am pleased that JTI are able to pass their information and video evidence onto trading standards and I would ask anyone with information on illegal tobacco to contact crime stoppers.’
Anybody with information about illegal tobacco in Morecambe and Lunesdale should contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.