Nearly one million illegal cigarettes worth an estimated £760,000 have been seized following a suspected break-in at a storage unit in Walsall, in the Black Country. This is the largest haul of illegal cigarettes ever recorded in the town.
Details of the seizure
Walsall Council’s Trading Standards team recovered 950,880 cigarettes from the site on Tuesday, April 22, after investigating a break-in at a storage unit. Officers found a large container packed with boxes of illicit tobacco. The goods have been held while investigations continue.
A council spokesperson said: "This seizure highlights the scale of illegal tobacco activity and the need for continued enforcement. Removing these products from circulation protects both public health and legitimate businesses. Work is ongoing to identify those responsible."
Public health risks
Illegal tobacco poses significant risks to public health, as its ingredients are unknown and unregulated, and may contain higher levels of harmful chemicals. The council’s Tobacco Control Plan aims to reduce consumption, enhance regulation and enforcement, prevent residents from starting smoking, and improve stop smoking services.
Operation Fearless
The operation is part of wider enforcement through Operation Fearless, launched in January 2026. Since then, over £100,000 worth of illegal goods have been seized. In February, a secret room was discovered containing a £70,000 haul of illegal tobacco and vapes. Further action will continue to tackle illegal trade and safeguard communities.
