MORE than 10,000 illegal cigarettes and 2,000g of illicit hand-rolling tobacco have been seized following raids on four businesses in the town.
A crackdown on the sale of illegal goods was launched on Wednesday, March 4, following reports of suspected illegal activity.
As part of Operation Portfolio, Warrington Borough Council Trading Standards, Cheshire Police, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Immigration Service joined forces to tackle the alleged organised crime.
Warrington Borough Council’s assistant director of public protection, Peter Astley, said he hopes this acts as a warning to others.
He said: “The detection dogs can find tobacco and cigarettes even if hidden in the most unlikely places.
“Offenders need to know that they will face consequences if they choose to deal in these illegal products.”
Richard Spedding, Warrington Partnership inspector at Cheshire Police, added: “By using our skills and powers together we have been able to use local intelligence to target the sale of illegal goods in the area.”
Trading Standards and Cheshire Police seized 6,660 illicit cigarettes and 1,400g of alleged counterfeit hand rolling tobacco from two premises.
HMRC officers seized 3,620 suspected illicit cigarettes, 600g of hand rolling tobacco, and a small quantity of suspicious vodka from two premises.
The UK tax and duty evasion on these goods is more than £1,000.
The cigarettes were mixed non-UK brands such as Pect, Regina, Omega, Mayfair, NZ Black and President.
HMRC enquiries are ongoing in to these seizures and the associated tax evasion.
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