Operating for 4 years, and part funded by five local authority Public Health Teams, it has had some significant successes and has been awarded a Yorkshire and Humber award for going above and beyond the call of duty.

During the lifetime of the team’s operation it has:

- Seized over 4.25 million cigarettes and 1.2 tonnes of Hand Rolling Tobacco
- Prosecuted 35 offenders linked to the supplies
- 78 multi-agency operations
- 10 Premises Licence Reviews – resulting in full revocation of alcohol licence
- 8 Landlord evictions of problem traders where illegal activities were taking place
- Engaged with front line workers to raise awareness of illegal tobacco
- Number of referrals made to the modern slavery network to safeguard potential victims
- Working with immigration to fine employers of illegal immigrants up to GBP20,000
- Working with HM Revenue and Customs to lay non duty charges for cigarettes and alcohol
- Working with West Yorkshire Police to carry out searches of private accommodation and storage units and seize large quantities of cash as part of proceeds of crime
- Working with partners to seize vehicles where illegal tobacco is being stored
- Working with the council's Rogue Landlord Unit to identify benefit fraud for residential premises being used as a business

A number of victims in the supply chain have been referred as victims to the Modern Slavery Network for help and support.

It's easy to see a headline over seizure of illegal cigarettes in isolation and a win in itself but the offences that are both financed and facilitated by the trade are clearly far more serious than is readily obvious.