£500,000 seized during raid at Smethwick premises
A stash of £500,000 in cash has been seized from a premises in Smethwick as part of a crackdown on the sale of illegal cigarettes.
Sandwell Trading Standards also found £300,000 worth of illegal cigarettes at six premises in West Bromwich and Smethwick during two days of raids.
They were joined by West Midlands Police, supported by specialist tobacco detection dogs, last weekend.
The six traders in West Bromwich and Smethwick who can't be named as they are now subject to a formal investigation by trading standards and risk facing criminal prosecution which could result in an unlimited fine and/or 10 years in prison.
In addition, where illicit tobacco is found on licensed premises, traders also risk losing their licence to sell alcohol.
Bob Charnley, trading standards and licensing manager, said: "The Illegal tobacco trade is far from being a victimless crime, because it helps to create a cheap source for children and young people.
“Whilst all tobacco is harmful, the illegal tobacco market, and in particular the availability of cheap cigarettes, undermines government health policies aimed at reducing the cost to the NHS of treating diseases caused by smoking.
“The loss to the tax payer means less money being spent on local communities, schools and the NHS.
‘‘More and more people over the past few years have decided enough is enough and are providing information to Trading Standards, to stop local criminals selling and distributing illegal tobacco.”
Sergeant Mike Bradley, from Sandwell Police, added: "We are committed to working in partnership with our local authority partners to tackle all types of crime across the borough.
"The illegal tobacco trade is often a fund into organised crime which affects all of our communities."
Mr Charnley said that anyone being offered cheap tobacco or any other types of illicit goods should report it by calling 0300 303 2636.
