Five men were arrested in Swindon following a major raid targeting illegal vape and tobacco products. Wiltshire Police, working in partnership with HMRC and Trading Standards, conducted coordinated raids in the Broadgreen area of Swindon.
The operation focused on three shops and a property located on Manchester Road. During the raids, officers seized illegal goods valued at more than £55,000, including vapes, tobacco, and alcohol.
The seized items included disposable vapes with over 15,000 puffs each, significantly exceeding the legal limit of 600 puffs. Authorities also confiscated illicit tobacco products sourced from the black market, as well as unlicensed alcohol sold without the required legal stamps.
The five men arrested are currently in custody and are being questioned under Section 92 of the Trade Marks Act 1994. Wiltshire Police have not disclosed further details as the investigation continues.
Sergeant Winter from the Swindon Central South Neighbourhood Team praised the operation, stating, “This was a highly successful morning involving excellent multi-agency work. During our raids, we seized tens of thousands of pounds of illegal tobacco and vapes, some of which vastly exceeded safety restrictions.”
He also urged the community to assist law enforcement efforts: “Community intelligence is vital to enable us to conduct operations like this. If you have concerns about activity in your area, please report it to us.”
Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity in Swindon through the following channels:
- Online via the Wiltshire Police website
- By phone, calling 101
- Anonymous tip-offs through Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111
This significant raid highlights Wiltshire’s commitment to tackling the illegal goods trade and ensuring community safety.
Originally published by UKNIP.
