Three arrested after police seize large amount of illegal tobacco and vapes in Swindon
Officers also confiscated more than 50 boxes of alcohol from one of the premises that had its licence revoked
Last updated 19th Jan 2026
Police have arrested three men and seized significant quantities of illegal tobacco and vapes during a series of warrants at businesses and flats in Broadgreen, Swindon.
Early this morning (January 19), officers from multiple departments joined forces with Trading Standards, HMRC, Immigration, SWROCU, and the NCA to search five businesses in the Manchester Road area as well as connected residential flats.
Among the seized items were counterfeit tobacco and vapes worth potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds, with some discovered in secret compartments within the flats.
Vapes were also recovered from a running washing machine, and a chute from a flat down into a business was identified and destroyed.
Officers also confiscated more than 50 boxes of alcohol from one of the premises that had its licence revoked, meaning it was illegal for the premises to store alcohol on site.
Three men have been arrested on suspicion of selling counterfeit tobacco and have been taken to custody for questioning.
Neighbourhood Inspector for Swindon Central South, David Tippetts, said: “This has been a very successful morning leading to a number of arrests made and potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of illicit tobacco, vapes and alcohol seized.
“Selling illegal and counterfeit tobacco and vapes isn’t a victimless offence. The sale and supply of these goods is heavily linked with serious and organised crime – it’s a commodity which makes the criminals money to fund other illegal activity.
“It also undermines legitimate retailers and costs the country millions of pounds a year, with that money often going abroad to foreign criminals.
“It is also a serious health risk, with the counterfeit tobacco often not subject to the same quality controls at the places they’re made, which can not only lead to harmful amounts of tar or carbon monoxide in the products, but also pose an increased fire risk.
“I want to reiterate that it’s only possible for us to conduct this kind of enforcement activity due to information and intelligence from the community.
“If you have any information about the smuggling, distribution or sale of illicit tobacco to report it.
“This can be done via 101, or anonymously via Trading Standards at Report IT - Trading Standards South West.”