A joint enforcement operation in Kent has resulted in the seizure of illegal goods and an arrest.
On Friday 8 May 2026, Kent Police officers working alongside Trading Standards, Immigration Enforcement and police licensing teams visited six premises in Medway including vape shops, car washes, massage parlours and grocery stores.
As a result of the operation one arrest was made for illegal working and a breach of bail conditions; more than £2,000 in cash was seized; 1.9kg of tobacco and 7,849 cigarettes were seized and four illegal items were removed from sale before reaching customers.
Officers also identified concealed storage areas within some premises containing illicit tobacco products.
In addition, letters were issued to some businesses, highlighting concerns around the sale of items associated with drug preparation. They were advised that failure to comply with the guidance may result in further enforcement action.
Inspector Allen Searle said: ‘This was a coordinated effort with partner agencies to address a range of concerns linked to organised criminality in Medway. ‘By working together, we are able to identify illegal activity, take action where necessary and ensure businesses understand their responsibilities. We will continue to take robust action against those who seek to exploit communities or operate outside the law.”
This comes following the announcement of the creation of a £30m task force designed to tackle ‘dodgy’ shops on the high street. The unit will be headed up by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and will focus on carrying out raids, closures and seizures over the next three years.
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