Wiltshire Police have arrested two men and seized more than £70,000 worth of illicit cigarettes, tobacco, and alcohol in a major crackdown on organised crime in the Broadgreen area of Swindon.
The operation took place on Tuesday, 10 June, and involved a coordinated effort by Swindon Central South Neighbourhood Policing Team, Swindon Borough Council’s Trading Standards, HMRC, UK Immigration Enforcement, and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).
Counterfeit Products and Cash Seized
Police searched two retail premises and a nearby residential address, recovering:
-
Thousands of packs of illicit cigarettes
-
Unlicensed tobacco and alcohol
-
A large quantity of cash
-
A vehicle believed to be linked to the operation
Two men, aged 28 and 29, were arrested on suspicion of money laundering and offences under the Trade Marks Act.
The investigation forms part of the wider ‘Brighter Broadgreen’ initiative — a multi-agency project aimed at reducing crime and improving quality of life in the neighbourhood.
Police and SWROCU Statements
Sergeant Winter of Wiltshire Police stated:
“This is organised crime and by buying these products, people are putting cash into the hands of criminals. These same criminals are often linked to people trafficking and exploitation, which causes real harm in our communities. We will continue to work with our partners to disrupt these networks.”
Detective Sergeant Adrian Bray from SWROCU added:
“Operations like this show the value of coordinated intelligence and enforcement. These counterfeit goods fund other forms of serious and organised crime — including modern slavery and drug trafficking. We’re determined to stop them.”
Community Urged to Report Suspicious Activity
Authorities are urging residents to report any information about the sale of counterfeit or untaxed goods in their community.
-
Call 101 to speak with Wiltshire Police
-
Or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
Public intelligence is vital in tackling criminal networks that often hide in plain sight.
