Illicit tobacco recovered through Operation Machinize
A LARGE quantity of illegal cigarettes and tobacco has been seized in the Dumfries area as part of Operation Machinize, Police Scotland has confirmed.
Approximately 116,000 cigarettes and 27kg of tobacco was recovered as part of the operation and, as a result of this haul, one man has also been arrested. The investigation is now being progressed by HMRC.
Dumfries community officers executed five warrants across the town centre on 28 October alongside officers from Dumfries and Galloway Trading Standards and HMRC.
This marks the latest haul found across the south of Scotland after thousands of illicit cigarettes were also found across the Scottish Borders as part of another leg of Operation Machinize.
Police Scotland Inspector Callum Dalgleish-Little said: “This is a significant recovery and the result of many months of work by a team of officers.
“We will continue to work with our partners to deter and detect this type of criminality in our community, using every tool and tactic at our disposal.
“I would encourage anyone with information about illegal cigarettes or tobacco to contact Dumfries and Galloway Council Trading Standards, Police Scotland on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Councillor Andy Ferguson, chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s economy and infrastructure committee, said: “Our Trading Standards officers continue to work closely with Police Scotland and other partners to tackle the sale and supply of illegal tobacco products.
“Joint operations such as this demonstrate the importance of partnership working in disrupting the illegal tobacco trade and helping to protect our communities. We will continue to support this coordinated approach and take action where appropriate to prevent illegal products being sold in Dumfries and Galloway.”
