Unlabelled toys and 2,000 illegal cigarettes found hidden in wall of Walsall shop after customer was taken ill
Unlabelled toys and about 2,000 illegal cigarettes were seized from a shop in Walsall town centre after a customer was taken ill.
Walsall trading standards found the products hidden in a kitchen wall during a joint raid with West Midlands Police.
As part of a targeted enforcement operation, officers from Walsall Council’s Trading Standards team worked closely with West Midlands Police to inspect five premises on January 22
The cigarettes were seized at one of these locations, alongside unlabelled toys which were also removed from sale.
The operation was carried out in response to intelligence received about the illegal sale of cigarettes and vapes. This included information from a customer who knowingly purchased counterfeit cigarettes from a shop and became unwell after smoking them.
Cigarettes were found by officers in a hidden compartment in a wall, held closed using electromagnets. This had to be prised open with a screwdriver.
Councillor Adam Hicken, cabinet member responsible for enforcement and safe communities, said, “The sale of illegal tobacco poses a real risk to public health and often goes hand in hand with other criminal activity.
“By working closely with our police colleagues, we are taking firm action to remove these products from our communities and protect residents from harm. We will continue to use every power available to us to tackle this type of activity.”
Sgt Nick Peachey, in charge of St Matthew’s neighbourhood policing team, said: “We carried out a joint operation less than a week later to target the stores that sold these harmful products. Cigarettes were seized in the operation and we continue to work together with our partners to target the illegal and dangerous sale of these goods.
“Illegal tobacco poses significant risks to public health, as its ingredients are not known or regulated and may contain higher levels of harmful chemicals. As part of Walsall’s tobacco control plan, the council continues to work to reduce tobacco consumption, enhance local regulation and enforcement, prevent residents from starting and enhance stop smoking services to target those in greatest need.”
Residents are urged to report any information about the illegal sale of cigarettes, vapes, alcohol or counterfeit goods. Information can be passed to police by calling 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Walsall Council’s trading standards team said it would continue to carry out intelligence-led enforcement activity across the borough to protect consumers, support legitimate businesses and keep communities safe.
