Case Study: Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service seizes 876,968 illicit cigarettes and recovers over £237,000 for victims with GBG Investigate

Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service - Customer Case Study

The Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service protects consumers and businesses across Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay and deals with thousands of complaints each year — from rogue traders and illicit tobacco to dangerous products. Faced with the challenge of identifying often-elusive people, places and businesses from limited information, the Service relies on GBG’s Investigate platform as its primary intelligence‑gathering tool.

GBG Investigate gives analysts access to over 1.5 billion enhanced consumer and business records plus powerful search and visual data‑linking to reveal hidden connections, trace addresses and phone numbers, and corroborate intelligence. Using GBG Investigate the Service supported criminal investigations, helped seize 876,968 illicit cigarettes and 418 kg of illicit tobacco in 2023–24, and assisted in returning over £237,000 to victims of scams and rogue trading.

Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service

Rachel Pecz

Senior Intelligence Analyst