News / Crime
Illegal tobacco seized in Bedminster raid
A hoard of suspected illegal alcohol and tobacco products have been seized following raids on shops in Bedminster.
Over 300 bottles of high-value spirits, 20,000 cigarettes and 1.7kg of hand-rolling tobacco were found hidden behind mirrors and in a concealed ceiling compartment during a joint operation between police and the council to crack-down on illegal tobacco, alcohol and psychoactive substances in the area.
Five shops were searched using specialist tobacco detection dogs uncovering non-duty paid tobacco, foreign labelled cigarettes and counterfeit hand-rolling tobacco – none of which can be legally sold in the UK. No psychoactive substances were found.
The businesses involved, which have not been named, now face potential court action, pending further investigations.
Read more: Illegal tobacco sniffer dogs hit the streets
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