Illegal tobacco and cash seized in joint operation
Counterfeit tobacco and cash has been seized by Trading Standards in a joint operation with Devon & Cornwall Police in Exeter.
On Saturday 24 May, Trading Standards, assisted by the local neighbourhood policing team, carried out an operation at a store selling tobacco and vape products on Cowick Street in Exeter.
The operation was planned and executed following detailed intelligence provided by the local community.
Whilst on the premises, Trading Standards identified a number of offences, which resulted in the seizure of suspected illegal tobacco products and over £1,000 in cash.
Sergeant Matt Beards, who heads up the neighbourhood policing team in Exeter, said: “Buying cheap, counterfeit tobacco helps organised criminals to function in our communities and puts people at risk of harm.
“It’s also important to recognise that illegal goods do not go through regulated safety testing or quality control procedures, which means you can’t be sure what’s in them.
“Carrying out this proactive operation shows the value of partnership working and has resulted in identifying a significant amount of illicit – and potentially unsafe - tobacco which we have removed from circulation.
“I’d like to thank members of the public who reported concerns to us. The information we received really does make a difference in our investigations and I’d encourage anyone with concerns about businesses that may be operating illegally to contact us.”
To report concerns of counterfeit goods, contact Trading Standards, email tradingstandards@devon.gov.uk or phone 01392 383000.
To report concerns of businesses engaging in illegal activity or to log non-urgent crimes happening in your area, please visit the force website or call 101.
Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111, or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Image gallery:
select image to see larger version