The joint operation involving Walsall Trading Standards, West Midlands Police, and specialist search dog teams, formed part of Operation CeCe, a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC to disrupt and dismantle the illicit tobacco trade.

Three retail premises and one associated vehicle were searched following intelligence that illegal tobacco was being sold. Illegal goods were found in two of the three shops visited, as well as in the vehicle.

Highly trained sniffer dogs Griff, Bran and Cooper assisted officers in locating concealed tobacco, while drug dog Jasper identified controlled substances.

One store contained a purpose-built, magnetic concealment door hidden in the storeroom. Inside, officers uncovered over 2,000 illegal cigarettes. The sophisticated concealment would not have been located without the assistance of Griff the sniffer dog.

In another premises, police seized drugs and arrested one male on suspicion of Possession with Intent to Supply Cannabis. Officers also confiscated a quantity of “Nerds Rope Bites” sweets infused with THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. The brightly coloured packaging is designed to imitate children’s confectionery, posing a significant risk to young people.

Further investigations involving the premises visited during this activity will take place, as a result, the names and addresses are withheld.

“ Allowing this sort of crime to go on in Walsall is simply not an option. I want to thank the Trading Standards team, West Midlands Police and of course Griff, Bran, Cooper and Jasper for their hard work to seize these products and get them off our streets.

“Trading Standards have adopted a strong approach to these matters and will use every enforcement technique at their disposal to disrupt this type of activity, and I commend them for their tenacity. Products such as these are often tied to serious crime and cause damage to our community. “

Councillor Adam Hicken, Portfolio Holder for Enforcement and Safe Communities

“ The illicit tobacco trade is driven by organised criminal gangs and poses serious risks to local communities, especially young people.

“Since its launch, Operation CeCe – a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC that Walsall Council, part of CEnTSA (Central England Trading Standards Authorities) supports – has removed 69 million illegal cigarettes, 19,750kg of hand-rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, helping to clamp down on this illicit trade and protect communities and honest businesses across the UK. “

Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards

Walsall Council and its partners will continue to take robust action against criminal activity that threatens public safety.