TRADERS in illegal cigarettes and shisha have been warned by trading standards ‘we will find and get you’.

Plans have been announced to step up action against contraband dealers in East Lancashire after figures were released showing the scale of the problem.

Last year, 850,000 fake and contraband cigarettes and 100kg of illegal tobacco were seized following more than180 raids across the county.

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The move also comes after a number of high profile prosecutions in the last year with hefty prison sentences and financial penalties imposed.

Council chiefs Jim Smith and Azhar Ali warned that all contraband dealers would be targeted as part of the latest action.

MPs and East Lancashire newsagents boss Suleman Khonat welcomed the new initiative and said that those conducting the illegal tobacco trade were often involved in drug dealing and other criminal activities.

Blackburn with Darwen Environment boss Cllr Smith this week published figures showing borough officers led 19 raids between April 1 2015 and March 31, seizing more than 23,500 cigarettes, 18.1kg of rolling tobacco and 39 packets of ‘niche’ chewing and shisha tobacco.

They also seized dozens of shisha pipes being used illegally in enclosed spaces.

Over the same period county council-led operations seized 120,860 cigarettes, 29.5kg of tobacco, 7,659 packs of illicit ‘niche’ tobacco in 59 separate seizures, mainly in Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Preston.

In addition Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, who often do not publicise their operations, mounted a major combined exercise with the two authorities and Lancashire Police in March.

They visited 86 retail premises with sniffer dogs uncovering 708,000 fake and smuggled cigarettes and 567 kilos of hand-rolling and chewing tobacco from 22 locations. This included 22,500 illicit cigarettes seized from an industrial unit in Blackburn.

In May county officials conducted another raid in Burnley seizing 6,000 packs of illegal and counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco worth £28,000.

Penalties include up to seven-years in prison sentences, confiscation of cash and assets, fines of up to £5,000 and hefty back duty bills.

Cllr Smith said: “If you are selling illegal tobacco or allowing shisha pipes to be used in enclosed public areas, we will find and get you.

“This could result in big fines, imprisonment and a criminal record.

“The people making money from illegal tobacco do not care who they sell to, even if it is children.

“Counterfeit tobacco can contain all kinds of substances and harm people’s health.

“If you’re buying dodgy tobacco you have no idea what you’re smoking.”

Nelson South’s Cllr Ali said: “I hope these results act as a deterrent to those who think they can get away with selling it.

“We regularly act on intelligence received from the public, and can call on resources from other agencies, such as sniffer dogs, to uncover hidden stashes.

“Illegal tobacco poses a serious threat.”

Blackburn MP Kate Hollern said: “I am very supportive of the work that Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is carrying out to tackle the sale of illegal tobacco.

“There is a great deal of evidence to suggest that there are significant links between illegal tobacco sales and the drugs trade, so the public need to be aware that in purchasing cheap tobacco they could also be helping an industry which causes misery to many’.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson welcomed the latest figures and warned that the crooks behind the illegal and unhealthy trade were often ‘the tip of a criminal iceberg’.

Mr Stephenson said: “I am glad at these successful operations are being stepped up.

“Trading in fake and illegal cigarettes and tobacco is often just the tip of a criminal iceberg with those responsible involved in drug dealing and gangs.

“It is not helping out smokers short of cash but poses serious health risks as the illegal products can include all sorts of toxic substances.”

Cllr Khonat, who represents Shear Brow on Blackburn with Darwen Council and is national spokesman for the tobacco retailers alliance, said: “I welcome the intensification of action against illegal tobacco traders who are often involved in drug dealing and other criminal activities.”

An HMRC spokesman said: “HMRC continues to work with its partners, such as trading standards, to investigate the suspect tobacco products seized in Blackburn / East Lancashire. We intend to use civil and criminal powers to punish anyone who acted outside the law and regulations, ultimately recovering any evaded taxes.”