Your Route to Real News

During Operation Machinize, raids in Derby West revealed counterfeit Labubu dolls and illegal cigarettes

761     0
During Operation Machinize, raids in Derby West revealed counterfeit Labubu dolls and illegal cigarettes
During Operation Machinize, raids in Derby West revealed counterfeit Labubu dolls and illegal cigarettes

Throughout October, the force carried out "Operation Machinize", which was co-ordinated by the National Crime Agency to tackle money laundering and criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses.

As part of the operation, enforcement visits were carried out by police and trading standards officers from the council at nine shops in the Derby West area of the city, which includes Normanton, Mickleover and Rose Hill.

As well as fake Labubu dolls, the enforcement visits saw 10,620 sticks of illicit cigarettes and 1.7kg of hand rolling tobacco being seized.

Inspector Dan Handley-Farrell, the force’s licensing inspector, said: "During this operation we found cigarettes hidden under fake floors, or in secret drawers, showing the lengths that some people will go to in order to hide their illegal activities.

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

Two New York cops stabbed during celebrations in Times Square qhiukiqrihhprwTwo New York cops stabbed during celebrations in Times Square

"Selling illicit cigarettes is not only illegal but can pose a further significant threat to the people who buy them, with many of them not meeting UK safety standards.

"Operations such as this are therefore important to help keep our communities safe.

"I’m grateful to the city council’s trading standards officers for their help and support with this operation which has been an excellent example of partnership working.

"These enforcement visits are just part of our ongoing work to tackle the sale of illicit products and we’d encourage anyone with any information on businesses selling items such as this to please report it to trading standards."

James Turner

Print page

Comments:

comments powered by Disqus