The Scottish Illicit Tobacco Team seized more than 612,000 cigarettes and 3,000 packs of tobacco across 106 seizures during its first five months of operation.
Hosted by North Lanarkshire Council's Trading Standards Service, the team works with local authorities to disrupt the supply and distribution of illegal tobacco. Since it was established in June 2026, it has carried out 172 enforcement visits to businesses across Scotland.
Seizures and Enforcement Activity
The visits resulted in the seizure of 30,628 packs of illicit cigarettes, 3,460 packs (173 kg) of hand rolling tobacco, significant quantities of illicit vaping products, and counterfeit clothing and other illicit goods.
Enforcement activity also led to four arrests, four warrants being executed, a Proceeds of Crime Act cash seizure of £12,000, and positive test purchase exercises.
Partnership Working
Councillor Helen Loughran, convener of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, said: "This is an excellent example of agencies working in partnership to tackle criminal activity in our communities."
She added: "Officers gather intelligence on those involved in the illegal tobacco trade and use this to identify and seize cigarettes and tobacco before they can be sold to the public. Illegal tobacco sales undercut legitimate business and encourage people, particularly children and young people, to get hooked on smoking, causing long-term serious health problems."
Operation CeCe Context
The Scottish Illicit Tobacco Team is part of Operation CeCe, a national initiative supported by the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards for Scotland (SCOTSS) in partnership with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Police Scotland and other regulatory partners.
The funding agreement for the team is currently in place until 31 March 2029. Since the commencement of Operation CeCe, Scottish local authority Trading Standards services have removed approximately 5.1 million illicit cigarette sticks and 1.3 tonnes of hand rolling tobacco from the illicit marketplace.
