Two arrested as £43,000 of illegal cigarettes and tobacco seized during Oswestry shop raid
Two people have been arrested after over £43,000 of illegally smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco has been seized from a shop in Oswestry.
The tobacco products were found in secret compartments in the floors and walls of the shop - including a remote-controlled storage facility which formed part of an internal door frame which only revealed its contents when a fob similar to a car alarm was activated.
The seizure of over 50,000 cigarettes and 50kg of rolling tobacco included a range of brands believed to be either counterfeit or bootlegged which cannot be legally sold in the UK.
The illegal stash was found at a shop premises and associated lock up store on May 5.
Two people were arrested and investigations by officers are ongoing into the activities at the premises.
A vehicle associated with the operation was also seized and removed for further examination.
The seizure was made following the raid by by officers from Shropshire Council’s trading standards and licensing team, and West Mercia Police.
Grant Tunnadine, investigations team manager for Shropshire Council’s trading standards and licensing service, said:“It is disappointing that illicit tobacco continues to be sold in retail premises within the county.
"However, despite the extraordinary lengths that these traders go to try and hide their illicit products, we are wise to their methods and will continue to combat this damaging illegal trade.
"Those involved in dealing in illegal tobacco are encouraging people, including children, to smoke by providing a cheap source.
"As well as the obvious health concerns that this raises, a lot of legitimate businesses in Oswestry will also be losing customers to the illegal trade in tobacco. Offenders need to know that if they deal in these illegal products the council will make full use of all the enforcement tools and sanctions at our disposal.”
