HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) says it has seized illicit tobacco products following unannounced visits to shops in Paisley as part of a nationwide crackdown on illegal activity on the high street.
The visits took place within the last six weeks and involved officers from HMRC, supported by Trading Standards, Immigration Enforcement and Police Scotland.
Across Scotland, officers visited 11 shops in Dumfries, Glasgow, Inverness, Paisley and Troon. HMRC said three of the premises were in Paisley. It has not released the locations of the businesses involved.
More than 139,000 cigarettes and 29 kilograms of illicit hand-rolling tobacco were seized during the operation. HMRC and its partners also issued financial sanctions totalling £10,000.
A 20-year-old man was arrested in Dumfries on 12th June on suspicion of excise duty fraud. Police Scotland said he has been released on bail while enquiries continue. No arrests were announced in connection with the Paisley visits.
HMRC said intelligence gathered during the visits will be used to support future investigations into illegal activity on the high street. The operation forms part of plans to carry out more than 30,000 compliance interventions across the UK during 2026-27.
Kevin Hubbard, Director of Small Business and Individuals Compliance at HMRC, said: “Too many high streets have been blighted by illegal activity that harms communities and undercuts honest businesses. We’re determined to change that.
“We’re working in Scotland and across the UK, increasing our action targeting the criminals using shops as a front for tax evasion, money laundering and fraud.
“This is a sustained, nationwide effort – and HMRC and its partners will use every power available to dismantle these criminal networks.”
You can report High Street tax fraud here: www.gov.uk/report-tax-fraud.