Officers seize illicit cigarettes worth £2,000 in Shropshire shop
Tobacco products found during joint operation with Trading Standards
Illicit cigarettes and tobacco with an estimated street value of £2,000 have been discovered in a Shropshire shop.
Trading Standards visited the premises along with the Whitchurch Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) on Green End in Whitchurch last Thursday, 13th August, following intelligence reports indicating the sale of illegal tobacco products.
During the operation, officers found illicit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco with a total value of £2,016.
The investigation has been handed over to Trading Standards and HMRC, and enquiries are ongoing.
PC Mark Bates from Whitchurch SNT highlighted their commitment to tackling the sale of illicit tobacco.
"This operation demonstrates our continued commitment to tackling the sale of illicit tobacco products in our communities. These products undermine legitimate businesses, fuel organised criminality and can often be more accessible to young people.
"Operations like this are an important way of disrupting criminal activity and removing illegal products from sale while wider investigations continue. Working alongside our partners, we are committed to gathering evidence and taking the appropriate enforcement action, with the long-term aim of preventing businesses from continuing to sell illicit goods.
"We will continue to work closely with our partners at Trading Standards and HMRC to act on information received and take robust action against those involved in illegal activity," Bates said.
Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner Tracey Onslow joined the team throughout the day to engage with local businesses and members of the community.