Police seize £17,000 of illegal tobacco from Southend car

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 16:59 · Archive

Southend police found nearly £17,000 of illegal cigarettes and tobacco in a red Nissan Micra after a public tip-off.

Southend police have seized nearly £17,000 of illegal cigarettes and tobacco from a red Nissan Micra during an operation in Warrior Square, following a report from a member of the public. Officers from the Southend Neighbourhood Policing Team searched the vehicle and found hundreds of packets of illegal cigarettes and more than half a kilo of illegal tobacco, stored in a large holdall and a Just Eat bicycle courier bag.

The seized goods will be destroyed. PC Reef Peetoom, leading the operation, said: 'This was a significant seizure and shows the value of community intelligence.' He thanked the member of the public who reported the vehicle after spotting something that concerned them.

Warrior Square is an area the police pay particular attention to. The operation there is designed to identify those responsible for criminal or anti-social behaviour, gather intelligence, and take action against offenders negatively impacting the local community.

Police have been running the operation in and around Warrior Square in recent weeks as part of their broader effort to target anti-social behaviour and other criminal activity in the area.

How it is being reported

• Police seize £17,000 of illegal tobacco and cigarettes from carSouthend police seize nearly £17,000 of illegal cigarettes and tobacco from a red Nissan Micra during a Warrior Square operation after a public tip-off.Colchester Gazette · 16 Oct, 16:37
• Police seize £17,000 of illegal tobacco and cigarettes from carSouthend police seize nearly £17,000 of illegal cigarettes and tobacco from a red Nissan Micra during a Warrior Square operation after a public tip-off.Echo (Basildon) · 16 Oct, 16:37
• Police seize £17,000 of illegal tobacco and cigarettes from carSouthend police seize nearly £17,000 of illegal cigarettes and tobacco from a red Nissan Micra during a Warrior Square operation after a public tip-off.Brentwood Guardian · 16 Oct, 16:37

In this story: Southend · Warrior Square · Southend Neighbourhood Policing Team · PC Reef Peetoom · Essex Police

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