Illicit tobacco seized in Walsall

The officers, with assistance from the police and a specialist detection dog called YoYo, seized more than 112,000 illegal cigarettes and 39,000 grams of illegal hand-rolling tobacco on 26 May. The haul has an estimated street value of £85,000. The raids, one of Walsall’s most lucrative to date, also seized a number of weapons from one location.

The officers swooped on the local shops and flats after receiving a number of tip-offs. Those behind the raid said it was a “sophisticated” operation, a huge haul of the contraband cigarettes and tobacco were found in one flat together with walkie-talkies that were being used to communicate with the shop below, orders came in directly to shop and the contraband was passed down to waiting customers via a chute.

Councillor Garry Perry, deputy leader for resilient communities, said: “This type of tobacco is lethal – it is bought on the illegal market and we know it is likely to be the result of organised criminal activity with links to human trafficking, drugs and even terrorism. Not only does this activity increase crime in the borough, it is a root cause for the exploitation of vulnerable people. Illegal traders don’t care if they sell illicit tobacco to children and get them hooked on smoking, never mind caring about their health due to the dangerous chemicals contained within.

“Walsall Trading Standards has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to these matters and will use every enforcement technique at their disposal to disrupt this type of activity.”