More than £17,000 of illegal cigarettes seized in operation

Officers from the Dewsbury and Mirfield Neighbourhood Poling Team and colleagues from West Yorkshire Trading Standards are continuing to investigate after raiding two shops in Dewsbury and one in Batley this week.

These cigarettes were seized in a joint operation in Kirklees (Image: West Yorkshire Police)

In joint operations, the teams recovered 281 packets of 20 carton cigarettes from one shop as well as 62 packets of tobacco and 91 oversized vapes.

A total of 248 cartons of cigarettes and 27 fifty gramme pouches of hand rolling tobacco were seized from another premises while 250 packets of cigarettes were also found in a car.

Stashed cigarettes were seized in a joint operation in Kirklees (Image: West Yorkshire Police)

Small amounts of Class B drugs were also found in the operation.

The seizures were the latest of several such operations in Dewsbury so far in 2024 aimed at withdrawing sources of potential revenue from organised criminality.

An operation in May resulted in more than 26,000 illegal cigarettes being recovered following warrants at two convenience and food stores in Dewsbury.

Sergeant Charlie Coe, of the Dewsbury and Mirfield NPT, said: “We are continuing our enquiries with partners at West Yorkshire Trading Standards following these substantial seizures of contraband cigarettes and vapes from stores in Dewsbury and Batley.

“It is proven that money raised from illegal tobacco sales can be used to fund organised crime and these illegal products can also be more harmful to public health due to lack of regulation and testing.

“For these reasons it is really important we act to restrict the sale of such products to protect public health and take revenue streams away from those who create misery in our communities.”

He added: “I encourage residents to keep contacting us with any information which can help us disrupt criminal activity and the sale of illegal goods.”