The team, hosted by North Lanarkshire Council's Trading Standards Service, works with local authorities across Scotland to disrupt the supply and distribution of illegal tobacco. Since its establishment in June 2026, the team has conducted 172 enforcement visits to businesses.
These visits have 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. Enforcement activity has also led to four arrests, four warrants executed, and a £12,000 cash seizure under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
“"This is an excellent example of agencies working in partnership to tackle criminal activity in our communities. 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."
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) and Police Scotland. The team's funding agreement is in place until 31 March 2029.
Since Operation CeCe began, 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.
Members of the public with concerns about illicit products being supplied from retail premises in North Lanarkshire can contact Trading Standards at tradingstandards@northlan.gov.uk or report anonymously via SCOTSS at www.scotss.org/CECEscotlandreportform.htm.
