Around £12,000-worth of cigarettes and tobacco was seized in raids in Broadgreen yesterday.

Swindon Borough Council's Trading Standards team has shared more detail about the value of what was found during the police raids on three shops in Manchester Road and flats in Ponting Street and Alfred Street. 

The council said 2,800 packets of illicit cigarettes and 450 pouches of hand rolling tobacco were seized. Some of the illegal goods were stashed in a chest freezer, other packets were piled high in a bathroom.

Swindon Advertiser:

The illicit tobacco seized Pictures: WILTSHIRE POLICE/ADVER

Officers estimate that the street value of the items seized is £12,000. However, with illicit tobacco able to be sold at much lower prices as it can be made more cheaply and taxes haven't been paid on it, the lost business revenue could be as high as £50,000. The taxman would have lost £28,500 in unpaid revenue.  

Coun Cathy Martyn of Swindon Borough Council said: "There are no health warnings on illegal tobacco products. They present serious health risks to those who buy them, and they put money into the pockets of criminals.

“People who sell counterfeit tobacco also don’t care who they sell it to, sometimes selling to children. It brings crime into our communities, often in the shape of human trafficking, drugs and loan sharks.

“This operation sends out a clear message that selling illegal and counterfeit tobacco will not be tolerated in Swindon and we will take action, with our partners, against those who are caught with these goods on their premises.’’