West Yorkshire Police seize over £100k of illegal tobacco

Officers from West Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Trading Standards are continuing to investigate after seizing a high-value haul of goods in a joint operation on Monday, October 23. 

Officers said they were surprised by how they had been concealed, describing the methods as like something from a James Bond film. 

False Fuse Box (Image: police)

Police said in one case, a false fuse on an electrical consumer board released the board to reveal a hidden cupboard filled with illegal tobacco.   

In another, there was a section of hinged false wall hidden behind a  bathroom mirror which slid up within the frame it was in. 

The joint teams visited retailers in the Dewsbury area with a specialist drugs dog in the operation. 

In addition to the tobacco, a number of illegal disposable vapes were seized containing more than the legal maximum of 2ml of liquid, around 600 puffs. 

The operation was the latest in a series of raids by police and West Yorkshire Trading Standards in Kirklees to clamp down on illegal and counterfeit goods sales. 

Tobacco Hidden Behind Concealed Bathroom Panel (Image: West Yorkshire Police)

In August police and trading standards officers seized 12,000 cigarettes, four kg of hand rolling tobacco, and 4,500 vapes with a retail value of £45,000 in an operation in Huddersfield. 

Sergeant Stuart Clarke, of the Dewsbury and Mirfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:  “We know that money raised from illegal tobacco sales can be used to directly fund organised crime and through this operation, West Yorkshire Trading Standards and police have dealt a substantial blow to the criminals benefitting from the supply of illegal and illicit tobacco in communities.

“Through working together we removed in excess of  £100k worth of illegal and potentially dangerous tobacco products were removed from stores carrying illegal goods. 

false fuse box Inside False Fuse Box (Image: police)

“Investigations will continue to identify supply routes and Police Licensing Officers will consider breaches of the premises licence.” 

He added: “Some of the premises had hidden the tobacco in specially designed hides, reminiscent of James Bond-style gadgets.

“In one case a false fuse on an electrical consumer board released the board to reveal a hidden cupboard filled with illegal tobacco.

“Anyone with information about the supply of illicit tobacco is encouraged to contact Trading Standards Confidential reporting system at www.keep-it-out.co.uk or via independent crime prevention charity Crime Stoppers on 0800555111."