A Rickmansworth shop could face a fine of up to £10,000 after trading standards officers seized thousands of illegal cigarettes.

Inspectors raided a business in the town at around 4pm on Tuesday, August 6, where they found 3,500 illegal cigarettes and over 300 illicit vapes on sale.

A Hertfordshire County Council spokesperson said the vapes had larger tanks than allowed by law and were not registered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which controls which medicinal products can be legally sold.The illegal products were seized on Tuesday, August 6.The illegal products were seized on Tuesday, August 6. (Image: Hertfordshire Trading Standards)

The cigarettes were also found to be in breach of tobacco regulations as the warnings and labels were not correct, while the duty had also not been paid.

The action was part of the national campaign Operation CeCE against the illegal tobacco industry, as more than 1,500 cigarettes and 100 vapes were also found hidden in a premises in north Hertfordshire on the same day.

The business could face a fine of up to £10,000 if prosecuted.The business could face a fine of up to £10,000 if prosecuted. (Image: Hertfordshire Trading Standards)

The council spokesperson said: “We are investigating the premises and the materials seized. It’s too early to know what the outcome of the investigation will be.”

HCC declined to release the business’ name and address as the investigation is ongoing, adding: “We don’t want to prejudice any legal action that we might end up taking."

If prosecuted, the business could face a fine of up to £10,000 for selling non-compliant tobacco and lose their licence after a second offence.