Trading Standards Officers were accompanied by officers from the Community Police Team to conduct the intelligence led inspection on 11 June.
During the inspection, counterfeit tobacco was seized along with a large quantity of now illegal single use vapes. Information gathered by the local community helped with the planning and execution of the inspection.
The suspected illegal tobacco products which were seized had an estimated resale value of between £2000 to £2500.
"Removing potentially harmful tobacco from circulation"
Cllr Jen Preston, Convener of Stirling Council’s Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee, which oversees Trading Standards, said: “Buying cheap, counterfeit tobacco helps organised criminals to function in our communities and puts people at risk of harm.
“It’s also important to recognise that illegal goods do not go through regulated safety testing or quality control procedures, which means you can’t be sure what’s in them.
“Carrying out this proactive operation shows the value of partnership working and has resulted in identifying a significant amount of illicit - and potentially unsafe - tobacco which we have removed from circulation.
“I’d like to thank members of the public who reported concerns to us. The information received really does make a difference in the investigations and I’d encourage anyone with concerns about businesses that may be operating illegally to contact Trading Standards.”
To report concerns of counterfeit goods, contact Trading Standards, email tradingstandards@stirling.gov.uk or phone Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000.
Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111, or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Stirling and Clackmannanshire businesses can contact Trading Standards with specific queries on tradingstandards@stirling.gov.uk
For more info on the work of our Trading Standards Service, visit: www.stirling.gov.uk/business-and-licences/trading-standards