Three men have been arrested and large quantities of illicit tobacco, vapes and alcohol seized after raids by police in Swindon.
Officers executed a series of warrants in the Manchester Road area this morning (Monday), targeting five businesses and associated residential flats.
Wiltshire Police said the operation involved officers and staff from several departments, working alongside Trading Standards, HMRC, Immigration, South West Regional Organised Crime Unit and the National Crime Agency.
Significant amounts of illegal tobacco and vapes were discovered and seized, including items hidden inside secret compartments within residential flats.
Police also found vapes concealed inside a running washing machine, while a chute running from a flat into a business premises was identified and destroyed.
More than fifty boxes of alcohol were seized from one location that had previously lost its licence to sell alcohol, making it illegal for alcohol to be stored there.
Three men were arrested on suspicion of selling counterfeit tobacco and were taken into 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 then please report it.
“This can be done via 101, or anonymously via Trading Standards at https://orlo.uk/Gl4WS”
