£7,000 worth of fake tobacco found during Oldbury raid
More than 350 packets of suspected counterfeit tobacco worth more than £7,000 was found during a raid in Oldbury.
Most of the tobacco products were found in the kitchen of the premises on February 6, with others concealed in a jacket worn by the shopkeeper.
The products were found during a raid at a shop, in the Oldbury area, by Sandwell Council's trading standards officers with West Midlands Police.
Councillor Farut Shaeen, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for living healthy lives, said: "This is another excellent result for the trading standards team and their partnership with the police.
“Shopkeepers should realise that if they get involved in providing illegal tobacco products they will get caught out and face further action.”
Councillor Shaeen warned that all cigarettes and tobacco were harmful – but people should be aware that fake tobacco is even more hazardous than the real thing because they can't be sure what they are smoking.
She added: "Fake cigarettes are often a fraction of the price of legal ones, but while most people believe they are getting a bargain, many do not realise the effect buying it has on them and their community."
A spokesman from West Midlands Police confirmed they worked with Sandwell Council on a trading standards raid on February 6 – but could not provide any further details.
Oldbury Police shared details about the raid on their Twitter account, adding: "Partnership working at its best. Today [February 6] this shop owner had £7,000 of counterfeit seized.
"Evading duty does not pay."
Anyone being offered cheap tobacco or any other types of illicit goods should report it to Trading Standards by calling the confidential fakes hotline on 0300 303 2636.
