THOUSANDS of illegal products have been seized in Tameside, in a major multi-agency sting to disrupt organised crime and expose rogue traders.
From illicit vapes and tobacco to botox and children’s toys, the items were taken from 21 premises across the borough over three days.
Shops and aesthetics businesses were visited after intelligence suggested illegal goods were being sold there. Some had already been caught selling illicit tobacco to test purchasers in the lead-up to the raids.
The co-ordinated effort was carried out recently under Operation Machinize, as Tameside Council’s Trading Standards and Environmental Health teams joined forces with Greater Manchester Police, HMRC, UK Border Force, and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
In total, trading standards officers confiscated 2,568 packets of illicit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco – worth an estimated £13,630 – and 1,652 illegal disposable vapes, with a street value of more than £16,000. Illegal nicotine pouches, shisha products and smoking accessories were also recovered.
Adding to the haul, officers discovered over 100 counterfeit Labubu toys, which were not only fake but potentially dangerous for children due to poor safety standards.
Environmental Health officers seized 58 illegal products from several aesthetics businesses, including botox – now classed as a prescription-only product – along with nasal tanning sprays, B12 injections, fillers and saline products that were illegally labelled or unlicensed.
Tameside Council said further checks by partner agencies revealed other potential breaches of legal requirements, and investigations are still ongoing.
Operation Machinize is part of a national initiative led by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and funded by the Home Office, aimed at disrupting organised crime linked to illegal tobacco, drugs, money laundering, and exploitation.
Authorities warn that profits from such criminal activity are often used to fund further offences, including those that target vulnerable people.
Councillor Laura Boyle, Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Environmental Services and Neighbourhoods, praised the outcome.
“This is a great result thanks to the dedicated efforts of our officers working with partners to crack down on these rogue businesses that cause harm to our communities.
“Trade in illicit cigarettes, tobacco, vapes and other illegal goods supports crime rings, damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people.
“Our work does not stop here – we will continue to investigate and take enforcement action against those involved. Intelligence submitted to us from concerned members of the public is vital to our investigations and I’d like to thank those who came forward and shared information with us.”
Anyone with information about the sale of illegal goods in Tameside can report it confidentially to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.