Counterfeit cigarettes, tobacco and medication found in Nelson and Brierfield operation

Thursday, June 18, 2026

Large quantities of illicit cigarettes, tobacco and medication were seized during a multi-agency operation in Nelson and Brierfield.  

Three shops were visited, with 195 packets of counterfeit cigarettes found across three shops, all of which will now be subject to civil action.

Quantities of counterfeit snuff and HRT medication were also recovered.

 

Police, HMRC, Trading Standards, the Immigration Service, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and Pendle Council were involved in the operation which took place on 11th June.

The three shops were visited simultaneously using HMRC powers, with the operation put in place to protect the local community from criminality and harmful illicit tobacco sales.

One of the shops was found to have food on sale which was beyond the expiry date and had also failed to register with the council as a food business.

Similar operations in the last 12 months have resulted in four shops being closed due to illicit tobacco sales.

Sgt Carl McCoy of the Pendle Neighbourhood Policing Team and lead of the Prosper Partnership, said: “This operation demonstrates our strong working relationships with local partners and our combined commitment to tackling this sort of activity in our communities, preventing, and detecting crime.

“Over the last 12 months we have had some fantastic results and have disrupted organised criminality taking place within the area.

“The information we receive from the public is invaluable to the police and without it we would be unable to carry out this sort of proactive work.”

Councillor Joshua Roberts of Lancashire County Council, said: “The action in Pendle shows the real impact of strong partnership working.

“I commend Lancashire Trading Standards, Lancashire Constabulary, HMRC, Pendle Borough Council and Immigration Enforcement for their excellent work tackling illicit tobacco and protecting our communities.

“This kind of activity not only undermines legitimate businesses but also fuels wider criminality and puts our communities at risk. By disrupting these illegal operations, the teams involved are helping to protect residents, support honest traders and ensure that the law is upheld.”