Thousands of pounds of contraband seized

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Thursday, 1 July 2021 19:22

Officers from the Problem Solving Hub from Telford Police Station conducted joint and unannounced visits with Telford & Wrekin Council’s Trading Standards.

Trading Standards, Immigration and H&W Fire Services (MATES: Multi Agency Targeted Enforcement Strategy) conduct regular operations such as this to commercial premises.

Sergeant Dougal Bell said: “We visited a number of shops in Telford following reports of counterfeit and illicit tobacco being sold.

“Operations like this prove that working closely with our partners we are able to prevent criminal enterprises continuing their distribution of illegal products such as tobacco and alcohol. Last night a significant amount of counterfeit tobacco was seized by our colleagues from Telford & Wrekin Council.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Enforcement, Community Safety and Customer Services, Councillor Richard Overton said: “We are pleased with the success of this exercise and the partnership approach we have taken working closely with West Mercia Police.

“While the full value is being assessed, we estimate the illegal tobacco sized - a mixture of lose leaf pouches and cigarettes - to be in the region of £15,000.

“The areas raided were based on intelligence gathered by West Mercia Police and our trading standards team and took place at six locations across the borough, currently no arrests have been made.

“We will continue to carry out exercises such as this to protect, care and invest in the borough and show that we are always on the side of people who play by the rules.”

If you have information but don’t feel comfortable speaking to police, you can speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers. It is 100% anonymous, they never ask your name and they cannot trace your call or I.P address. You can contact them online or by calling 0800 555 111.