Illicit cigarettes worth over £1m have been seized in a crackdown on organised crime in West Yorkshire.
Authorities seized around 1.3 million illicit cigarettes and thousands of pounds in cash after raiding nine premises across the county, including four homes in Fartown. Police said the cigarettes were valued at “approximately £1.2m”.
The joint operation was carried out by West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Trading Standards and HMRC.
Inspector Amanda Holroyd of Kirklees District Police, said: “Seizing these items safeguards the public from products which are typically unregulated and untested and can contain dangerous levels of nicotine and other harmful substances.
“It is also proven that money raised from illegal tobacco sales can be used to fund organised crime, which is another reason it is important we prevent these products from being circulated on our streets.”
Linda Davis of West Yorkshire Trading Standards said: “I would like to thank all the partners involved and members of the public for reporting illegal sales and encourage everyone to continue doing so to reduce the harm caused by tobacco in our communities far from being a victimless crime, the illegal trade in tobacco costs government billions each year in lost revenue, makes it easier for children to start smoking, takes advantage of cash-strapped families, and helps fund organised crime.”
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