More than £4,300 has been seized and forfeited after illegal tobacco sales were uncovered at a Plymouth shop.

The action was taken under the Proceeds of Crime Act and following a hearing at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court, Thursday 9 April, magistrates ordered the forfeiture of £4,307.97 in cash linked to unlawful activity at Mutley Bazzar, Plymouth.

The case follows a visit to the premises on Thursday 29 May 2025, when officers from Plymouth City Council, who were there on unrelated business, witnessed illegal tobacco being sold.

Trading Standards colleagues from the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service, including accredited financial investigators (AFIs), were called in to investigate.

A search of the shop uncovered illegal tobacco products.

Cash was seized from the till and from the person serving at the premises.

After hearing the evidence, magistrates were satisfied the money was connected to criminal activity and ordered that the full amount be forfeited.

The latest court order adds to £45,000 forfeited in a separate case heard at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court in January this year.

In total, around £60,555 has now been seized and forfeited by Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service’s AFIs over the past 12 months.

All of the cash was linked to the sale and supply of illegal tobacco and vapes across Plymouth, Torbay, Devon and Somerset.

Alex Fry, Operations Manager for Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service, said:

“This seizure and forfeiture of cash sends a clear message that this kind of criminal activity will not be tolerated across Devon, Plymouth, Torbay and Somerset. We will continue working closely with the police and other partners to tackle illegal tobacco and vape sales, protect public health, support responsible businesses, and make sure that crime does not pay.”