Three arrested as illegal tobacco and vapes seized

Swindon Police have arrested three people and seized potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of illicit, counterfeit tobacco and vapes.

Officers executed a number of warrants in Broadgreen this morning - 19 January.

They, along with staff from multiple departments, alongside colleagues in Trading Standards, HMRC, Immigration, SWROCU and the NCA, visited five businesses in the Manchester Road area, as well as connected residential flats.

What the force describes as significant quantities of illegal tobacco and vapes were located and seized, including thousands of pounds' worth hidden in secret compartments in the flats.

Vapes were also seized from a running washing machine, and a chute from a flat down into a business was identified and destroyed.

Officers also seized more than 50 boxes of alcohol from one of the premises which had previously lost its licence for selling alcohol, meaning it was illegal for it to store alcohol on site.

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of selling counterfeit tobacco and have been taken to custody for questioning.

Neighbourhood Inspector for Swindon Central South David Tippetts said: “This has been a very successful morning leading to a number of arrests made and potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of illicit tobacco, vapes and alcohol seized.

“Selling illegal and counterfeit tobacco and vapes isn’t a victimless offence. The sale and supply of these goods is heavily linked with serious and organised crime – it’s a commodity which makes the criminals money to fund other illegal activity.

“It also undermines legitimate retailers and costs the country millions of pounds a year, with that money often going abroad to foreign criminals.

“It is also a serious health risk, with the counterfeit tobacco often not subject to the same quality controls at the places they’re made, which can not only lead to harmful amounts of tar or carbon monoxide in the products, but also pose an increased fire risk.

“I want to reiterate that it’s only possible for us to conduct this kind of enforcement activity due to information and intelligence from the community.

“If you have any information about the smuggling, distribution or sale of illicit tobacco to report it."

This can be done via 101, or anonymously via Trading Standards at https://www.tssw.org.uk/work-areas/report-it/