£200,000 worth of illegal vapes and tobacco seized from Dunstable shop
Tuesday, 19 August 2025
A joint operation in Dunstable has uncovered an estimated £200,000 worth of illegal cigarettes, hand-rolling tobacco and disposable vapes.
Our Trading Standards team, HMRC, Bedfordshire Police and a tobacco detection dog from Specialist K9 visited Vrancea, 37 High Street North, Dunstable, as part of a joint inspection.
As Trading Standards officers entered through the front of the premises, Bedfordshire Police discovered a man at the rear of the shop carrying two large bags filled with illegal cigarettes. A set of keys found on the individual led officers to a nearby flat being used to store a significant quantity of illegal goods.
Inside the flat, officers discovered 298,240 illegal cigarettes, 11.3 kilograms of hand-rolling tobacco and 303 disposable vapes. Much of the stash was located with the help of Leo, one of the specially trained sniffer dogs.
Councillor John Baker, Executive Member for Finance and Highways at Central Bedfordshire Council, said:
This is a great example of partnership working between our Trading Standards team, HMRC, Bedfordshire Police and our canine colleagues. The sale of illegal tobacco and vapes not only puts public health at risk but also undermines legitimate businesses. We will continue to take firm action against those who break the law.
Investigations are ongoing and enforcement action will follow. Anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco or vapes can report it anonymously via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.