Illegal cigarettes, tobacco and drugs have been seized during a coordinated enforcement operation carried out across Walsall on Thursday 4 December 2025.
The joint action, involving Walsall Trading Standards, West Midlands Police and specialist search dog teams, was part of Operation CeCe; a National Trading Standards initiative delivered in partnership with HMRC to disrupt and dismantle the illicit tobacco trade.
Officers searched three retail premises and one associated vehicle following intelligence reports of illegal tobacco sales. Illegal products were discovered in two of the three shops, as well as in the vehicle.
Highly trained sniffer dogs Griff, Bran and Cooper helped locate concealed tobacco, while drug detection dog Jasper identified controlled substances during the operation.
At one premises, officers uncovered a purpose-built magnetic concealment door hidden within a storeroom. More than 2,000 illegal cigarettes were found inside. The hidden compartment was only detected with the assistance of Griff the sniffer dog.
At another location, officers seized drugs and arrested one male on suspicion of Possession with Intent to Supply Cannabis. A quantity of “Nerds Rope Bites” sweets infused with THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis, was also confiscated. The packaging closely imitates children’s confectionery, presenting a serious risk to young people.
Further investigations relating to the premises searched are ongoing, and as a result, names and addresses have not been released.
Councillor Adam Hicken, Portfolio Holder for Enforcement and Safe Communities, said:
“Allowing this sort of crime to go on in Walsall is simply not an option. I want to thank the Trading Standards team, West Midlands Police and of course Griff, Bran, Cooper and Jasper for their hard work to seize these products and get them off our streets.
Trading Standards have adopted a strong approach to these matters and will use every enforcement technique at their disposal to disrupt this type of activity, and I commend them for their tenacity. Products such as these are often tied to serious crime and cause damage to our community.”
Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, added:
“The illicit tobacco trade is driven by organised criminal gangs and poses serious risks to local communities, especially young people.
Since its launch, Operation CeCe – a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC that Walsall Council, part of CEnTSA (Central England Trading Standards Authorities) supports – has removed 69 million illegal cigarettes, 19,750kg of hand-rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, helping to clamp down on this illicit trade and protect communities and honest businesses across the UK.”
Walsall Council and its enforcement partners have confirmed they will continue to take robust action against criminal activity that poses a threat to public safety and community wellbeing.