More than £22,000 worth of illegal tobacco has been seized in Walsall following two days of targeted enforcement activity.
The raids form part of Operation Fearless, an ongoing initiative led by Trading Standards in partnership with West Midlands Police, aimed at tackling the illegal tobacco trade across the borough.
During action on Saturday 28 March, officers visited seven shops, uncovering nearly 12,000 illegal cigarettes and 4.3kg of hand-rolling tobacco. The haul is estimated to be worth close to £14,000.
Earlier in the month, a separate operation saw teams search a further seven shops and two linked vehicles. That activity led to the seizure of 6,980 cigarettes, 1.8kg of hand-rolling tobacco and 37 single-use vapes, with an estimated value of around £8,000.
Police also removed additional items during the searches, including an offensive weapon and 30 canisters of nitrous oxide.
Across both operations, officers discovered hidden stock in a variety of locations, including inside bins, beneath shop counters and in back-room storage areas.
Since Operation Fearless launched in January 2026, more than £100,000 worth of illegal goods has been taken off the streets in Walsall.
A spokesperson for Walsall Council said, “Illegal tobacco poses serious risks to public health, as products are unregulated and may contain higher levels of harmful substances. The trade also undermines legitimate businesses and is often linked to wider criminal activity.”
The council says enforcement work will continue, with further targeted inspections and specialist operations planned in the coming months.
Residents with information about the sale of illegal tobacco or other illicit goods are urged to report it by calling 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.