A million cigarettes seized by customs in Sandwell and Birmingham crackdown
More than a million suspected illicit cigarettes were seized during an operation across Sandwell and Birmingham in an attempt to disrupt the sale and supply of illegal tobacco.
Shops and self-storage units were visited in the operation by HM Revenue and Customs in Wednesbury, Smethwick and Birmingham, with seizures of stock from 11 of 22 shops.
The haul totalled around £260,000 in unpaid duty and VAT.
The operation took place across January 21 and 22. More than 297,000 cigarettes alone were found at a storage facility in Wednesbury.
Cash totalling £12,000 and 23 kilos of tobacco were also found. No arrests have yet been made but investigators say the net is closing in on suspects.
HMRC officers were supported by Birmingham City Council's Trading Standards team and Border Force.
Colin Booker, assistant director of criminal investigation at HMRC, said: "The sale of illegal tobacco and cigarettes will not be tolerated by us or our partner agencies, and our activity last week has sent out a clear message to those who indulge in this type of criminality.
"Disrupting criminal trade is at the heart of our strategy to clampdown on the illicit tobacco market, which costs the UK around £2 billion a year, and the sale of illicit alcohol which costs the UK around £1 billion per year. This is theft from the taxpayer and undermines legitimate traders.
"We encourage anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco or alcohol to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000."
Investigations into the seizures are continuing.
Councillor Barbara Dring, chair of Birmingham City Council's licensing and public protection committee, said: "Those involved in dealing in illegal tobacco may be encouraging people, including children to smoke by providing a cheap source. This activity also brings crime into our neighbourhoods, which is why it is important to clamp down on it. This also has an impact on those businesses that are trading legally.
"Detection dogs can find tobacco and cigarettes even if hidden in the most unlikely places, so offenders who choose to deal in these illegal products need to know they will face the consequences of selling them."
