Council clamps down on illicit trade across Scottish Borders
MORE than 15,000 illicit cigarettes have been seized in the Scottish Borders as Police Scotland works with local councils to clamp down on the illicit trade across the country.
Over 15,000 illicit cigarettes and tobacco pouches were found across the region which held a worth of £14,600 in the multi-agency operation.
The illegal goods were found as part of the wider Operation Machinize, a national initiative that was co-ordinated by the National Crime Agency and involved Scottish Borders Trading Standards with help from Police Scotland.
This one-day operation has highlighted the importance of partnership and the sharing of information to the Police by members of the public in helping to disrupt organised crime across the country.
Trading Standards teams have now encouraged residents to continue to report any concerns around suspected illicit tobacco through the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland.
Councillor Robin Tatler, executive members for public safety and resilience, said: “Thank you to everyone involved. This sends a clear warning that profiting at the expense of our communities will not be tolerated.”
