Illegal goods worth more than £11,000 seized from two shops in Walsall

Illegal goods worth more than £11,000 have been seized from two shops in Walsall after a joint operation involving Trading Standards officers and West Midlands Police.

Enforcement raids took place on August 28 as part of West Midlands Police's Operation Advance, which targets traders involved in the sale of illegal goods, with items including toys, clothing, football club mugs, rucksacks and illegal tobacco seized.

At one premises, Walsall Council Trading Standards officers seized 67 packets of illegal tobacco with an estimated retail value of more than £1,000.

At a second premises, officers seized nine bags of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated retail value of more than £10,000.

The second business is subject to an ongoing criminal investigation by Trading Standards.

The latest seizure will form part of the ongoing investigation, which could result in criminal prosecution and an application for a closure order against the premises, the council said.

Councillor Ian Benton, portfolio holder for street scene and enforcement at Walsall Council, said, "This joint operation shows our Trading Standards officers are continuing to work closely with the police to identify businesses involved in the sale of illegal goods and take action where there is evidence of offences.

"We will continue to use the enforcement powers available to us to protect residents, legitimate traders and our communities from the harm caused by illegal and counterfeit goods."

The operation was part of the council’s ongoing work to tackle the sale of illegal goods and protect legitimate businesses and consumers, with further enforcement activity planned in the future.