Behind smokescreen of Newport's illegal tobacco
THE illegal tobacco trade is a risk to health; sucks away public funding raised in tax, and could be encouraging underage children to smoke. Our probe today reveals it's here on Newport's streets. LAURA LEA reports.
THE ARGUS can today reveal there are thousands of illegal cigarettes hidden in the darkest corners of city shops, ready to be sold to the public.
Our special investigation into the illegal tobacco industry has found it to be more than a cheap way to continue a bad habit, but a business worth hundreds of thousands of pounds which is fast becoming the currency of crime and exploiting the youngest in our city.
Earlier this week, the Argus accompanied some of Newport’s Trading Standards officers as they carried out an investigation at three city shops. Tobacco was found with a retail value in the region of half a million pounds- if sold legitimately- under floorboards, behind walls and in secret compartments.
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