Thousands of illegal cigarettes seized in Walsall enforcement action
Police carried out an operation linked to counterfeit goods
Enforcement teams in Walsall have confiscated thousands of illegal cigarettes in a coordinated crackdown on organised crime.
Working with Walsall Council's Trading Standards, police seized 23,000 illegal cigarettes, valued at approximately £18,000, from a shop on Wednesbury Road, Pleck.
Additional seizures included 3,000 cigarettes worth £2,000 from Caldmore Green and 100 illegal cigarettes from a Stafford Road shop.
The enforcement action took place on 15th May.
Investigators used police dogs and specialist tobacco detection dogs to locate the counterfeit products.
Chief Inspector Lee Wiggan from Walsall Police expressed concerns about the wider implications of such illegal activity.
He stated, “We know that shops that sell illegal cigarettes, vapes, and other counterfeit goods are often linked to serious organised crime, including exploitation of vulnerable people, as well as violence and anti-social behaviour."
Wiggan emphasized collaboration with partners like Trading Standards, saying, “We work to disrupt organised crime and to bring those involved in this criminality to justice.”
A spokesperson from Walsall Council highlighted the impact of removing illegal tobacco from circulation.
They noted, “Illicit tobacco undermines legitimate businesses, poses risks to public health, and is often linked to wider criminality and anti-social behaviour."
The council reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with West Midlands Police and other partners to target the illegal trade of tobacco and counterfeit goods.
Authorities encourage the public to provide information via their website's Live Chat or by calling 101.
Alternatively, individuals can contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111.