More than 50,000 illicit cigarettes seized in raids in Telford and the West Midlands
More than 50,000 illicit cigarettes were seized during 20 raids on shops in Telford and a home in the West Midlands.
Officers from HM Revenue and Customs said cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol seized had an estimated £100,000 of duty and VAT evaded from a West Bromwich house, with a further £25,000 evaded in Telford.
Across the raids on August 5, 6 and 10, officers found a total 53,580 cigarettes, 364.65 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco and 12 litres of alcohol, all believed to be illicit.
The visits, as part of HMRC’s Tobacco Taskforce activity, led to seizures at suspected illegal tobacco and alcohol products being seized from 10 premises.
