News

Arrests, closures and accounts frozen as part of operation to tackle illegal activity

Monday, October 27, 2025

We have seized illicit cigarettes and vapes valued at nearly £200,000 as part of our proactive operations to target businesses flouting the law across Lancashire.

As part of Operation Wanderstar, we have  visited 22 premises seizing thousands of pounds in cash, seized counterfeit cash, frozen a bank accounts suspected of being used for money laundering and temporarily closed three businesses linked to the sale of illicit cigarettes and vapes. Six arrests have been made for various offences.

Working with our colleagues from Lancashire Trading Standards and Immigration Enforcement, our Economic Crime Unit (ECU) and local neighbourhood policing teams executed warrants at businesses in Nelson, Blackburn, Oswaldtwistle, Lancaster, Morecambe and Preston throughout this month.

 

 

6^th October

·        We attended the American Sweet Shop on Railway Road, Nelson, and seized £1,000 cash, and recovered £70,000 of illegal tobacco and cigarettes. Following enquiries three men were arrested on suspicion of participating in fraudulent business carried on by sole trader. They have since been released on bail pending further enquiries.

12^th October

·        We reattended the American Sweet Shop and recovered £50,000 of illicit tobacco and cigarettes, as well as a machete. Following enquiries, a man was arrested on suspicion of participating in fraudulent business carried on by sole trader, acquiring / using / possessing criminal property and possessing a knife in a public place. He has since been released on bail pending further enquiries. A closure notice has been served on American Sweet Shop. The case was adjourned at Blackburn Magistrates Court until 31st October. However, the shop remains closed at this time.

·        At Armico News in Scotland Road, Nelson, we seized 400 packets of illicit cigarettes and suspected counterfeit Labubu dolls

·        At Kofland in Barkerhouse Road, Nelson, we seized £4,000 worth of tobacco and cigarettes recovered from a van. Our colleagues from Immigration arrested two men on suspicion of immigration offences.

·        At Swojska Chata in Scotland Road, Nelson, we seized 150 illicit vapes. Pendle Borough council also requested the voluntary surrendering of food that was out of date which was complied with

·        At Avon Convenience Store in Scotland Road, Nelson, we seized two counterfeit superhero toys

·      Temporary closure orders were served at The Best-One in Barkerhouse Road, Nelson and Tymbark on Colne Road, Brierfield

·        A warrant was executed at Ossy Mini Market in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, and at an adjoining premises. At total of 690 cartons of illicit tobacco products value £12,000 were seized

·        A search warrant was executed at 7 Days Blackburn Ltd on Railway Road, Blackburn. A total of 14,000 packets of illegal / counterfeit cigarettes and 3 Kg illicit tobacco value £15,000 were seized, some which had been hidden behind kickboards at the front of the shop

22^nd October

·        A search warrant was issued at Lancaster Halal on Rosemary Lane and we seized 183 packets of illegal cigarettes, a carton of amber leaf tobacco and two illegal vapes. The total value of the items was £3,000

·        Cease and Desist Notices were issued at The Beer Store, Cheapside, Lancaster, and The Black Corner, 264 Marine Road Central. Morecambe

·        An Account Freezing Order was placed on a business account after concerns were raised over the legitimacy of their transactions. A total of £14,064.29 has been frozen whilst a financial investigation is carried out.

23^rd October

·        A warrant was executed at Preston Saver in New Hall Lane, Preston, and a total of £15,000 of illegal cigarettes and £750 of illegal vapes were seized. Sophisticated compartments for hiding illicit items were discovered. Financial checks into the business by our ECU are ongoing

·        A warrant was executed at Ezee Shop in New Hall Lane, Preston, and £3,000 of illegal cigarettes were discovered secreted in a lower pelmet area of shelving

·        A bank account linked to the director of a business on New Hall Lane containing £300,000 has been frozen due to concerns around transactions. Enquiries are ongoing by our ECU. 

 

 

 

 

Operation Wanderstar comes under the banner of the National Crime Agency’s Operation Machinize - a national campaign aimed at the disruption of cash being laundered in the UK.

DI Libby Wadsworth, of our ECU, said: “This work is about targeting those businesses who seek to flout the law for their own financial gain. Not only are they harming legitimate businesses, they are also putting their customers at risk by trying to pass off inferior products as the real thing.

“The ECU alongside our NHP teams have been working with our partners at Lancashire Trading Standards and Immigration Enforcement were we have taken significant action to disrupt this illegal activity across the county. This work will continue and if you have any concerns about illegal activity in your area, report it to the police and we will take the appropriate action.”

Councillor Joshua Roberts, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, said: "Our hard-working Trading Standards team joined forces with Lancashire Police as part of Operation Wanderstar, which cracks down on firms flouting the law across the county.

"Action was taken at 22 businesses across Nelson, Blackburn, Oswaldtwistle, Lancaster, Morecambe and Preston and illicit cigarettes and vapes worth almost £200,000 were seized.

"This sends out a very strong message that we will continue to work with partners to take robust enforcement action against traders who continue to break the law.

"Anyone who has concerns about the sale of vapes or tobacco products can report them to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service helpline on 0808 223 1133."

Report it online via https://doitonline.lancashire.police.uk/PEDisclaimer/Create or call 101.