ALMOST 6,000 packs of illegal and counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco worth £28,000 have been seized in raids in Burnley.

The swoop by Lancashire County Council Trading Standards officers, is the sixth so far this year and has been hailed by borough council leader, Cllr Mark Townsend as good news for health, the taxpayer and small shopkeepers.

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More than 5,700 packs of illegal tobacco were discovered on Wednesday in the Burnley Lane/Colne Road area after officers received intelligence linking a number of recent leads.

A house, cellar and car were targeted as officers served three warrants after tracking a supply ring operating around the north of the town.

The haul included counterfeit copies of famous brands such as Mayfair, Amber Leaf and Golden Virginia, as well as brands bearing foreign health warnings such as Richman, Jim and Gold Mount.

A 40-year-old man has been interviewed about the matter and investigations into the supply chain are continuing.

The trader involved faces prosecution by Trading Standards in relation to offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and Consumer Protection Act 1987.

County council chief trading standards officer Paul Noone said: “This seizure is our sixth in Burnley since the start of 2016.

“The availability of cheap illegal tobacco and lack of picture warnings on these products both contribute to keeping smoking rates high in East Lancashire, while surveys show a higher percentage of child smokers buy illicit tobacco than adult smokers. This seizure sends out a message to those operating illegally that such activity will not be tolerated.”

Cllr Townsend said: “I am delighted at the result of this latest raid by Lancashire County Council trading standards.It is good news for the exchequer in terms of stopping these fraudsters avoiding tax. It is also good news for small shopkeepers whose trade in legal cigarettes suffers and for the health of smokers in the town.People who buy illegal tobacco never know what is in the cigarettes and packets they buy which can be even more damaging than their legal equivalents.”

Mr Birtwistle, councillor for Coal Clough with Deerplay, said: “It is fantastic that this raid has been so successful.

“The tax these fraudsters avoid could be spent on vital public services for the people of Burnley and East Lancashire. It’s good for the health of smokers in the town because these counterfeit cigarettes can be filled with anything by the manufacturers.It also good for small traders whose business suffers when illegal tobacco is sold. Smokers should only by from reputable shopkeepers so they know what is the the packets of tobacco they purchase.”

Consumers who suspect they have seen counterfeit or otherwise illegal goods on sale can report them to Trading Standards by calling the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 040506.