More than 50,000 illegal cigarettes and 2,500 grams of hand-rolling tobacco, with an estimated value exceeding £40,000, have been seized from a shop in Erdington High Street.
The enforcement action took place on Thursday 1 October when the Erdington Neighbourhood Team, working with Operation Fearless and Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards team, executed a warrant at the premises. Searches of the shop and a car linked to it uncovered the illicit goods, all of which were confiscated. The vehicle was also seized as part of the operation.
Investigation and court action
An investigation into the shop is ongoing, and officers are seeking powers through the courts to explore the option of closing the business.
Sgt Claire Millard, from the Erdington Neighbourhood Team, said: “We know that locals here in Erdington, who are proud of the High Street, value a visible policing presence, and I hope that it’s clear through our patrols and enforcement activity that we are acting on their concerns.”
Operation Fearless expands
Operation Fearless, which has recently expanded to tackle more forms of criminality on high streets, is now working collaboratively with the Home Office and other partners as part of the High Street Organised Crime Unit.
Acting detective inspector Chloe Morgan, from Operation Fearless, said: “Fearless originally launched in Erdington, and we remain committed to working with local officers as they work hard to tackle crime on the High Street. Given the potential links to wider organised criminality, Fearless is continuing to focus on disrupting the supply of illicit goods and targeting those involved.”
