Trading standards in Scotland seek powers to close illegal tobacco shops

Trading standards officers in Scotland are pressing for new legal powers to close shops that repeatedly sell illegal tobacco, after raids in Inverness uncovered stashes of counterfeit and foreign cigarettes. They say the problem is growing and that current enforcement is not enough to stop repeat offenders.

During a series of raids with BBC News, officers found hidden tobacco products in several shops. In one premises, they discovered a stash within minutes, including cigarettes not in plain packaging and some with foreign writing. The team said such finds were becoming routine. "We could come in every day of the week and we would find some sort of illicit tobacco product," one officer said.

The same shop had been raided before, with a tobacco and vape hide found by dogs more than 18 months earlier. Officers also found cigarettes hidden behind walls in previous visits. Despite repeated enforcement, the shop continued to sell illegal products. A staff member said he just worked there, and the owner did not respond to a letter from the BBC.

In a second shop, officers found counterfeit cigarettes after receiving complaints. The owner was likely to face a fine but did not answer questions. Officers explained the dangers of illicit tobacco, including the risk of toxic contaminants. "The factories are producing these cigarettes. They don't care. There's been rat droppings, wood chips, it could be anything toxic," one officer said.

The following morning, the team raided a property suspected of storing illegal tobacco. A man living there had worked in a shop that had been raided multiple times. No products were found, but officers said the networks behind the trade were linked to organised crime.

Trading standards teams in Scotland do not have the power to apply for closure orders, which are available to local authorities in England. These orders can force a repeat-offending shop to close for up to 12 months. Scottish officers argue they need the same powers to be effective. "We don't have that power, so we really need these extra powers to be effective and protect our communities as best we can," one officer said.

The Scottish Government minister responsible said the issue was being taken seriously. "It's a serious issue. It deserves serious attention and that's what we're giving it," he said. He added that the government was working with partners to deal with the situation.

People on the front line say the problem is getting worse, and the lack of closure powers makes it harder to disrupt the business model. The BBC's investigation highlights the frustration of enforcement teams who can seize goods and issue fines, but cannot shut down persistent offenders.