Illegal tobacco seized in double raid

Police seized approximately £10,000 worth of illegal tobacco when they raided two premises in Radford.

Officers joined forces with HM Revenue & Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to execute warrants at Hukka Lounge, in Alfreton Road, and Mag Mug café in Ilkeston Road on Friday (22 November).

Approximately £5,000 worth of unlawful tobacco was seized from both locations.

It is suspected the tobacco products had been illegally imported without the requisite taxes being paid. 

The warrants were executed by the City Central neighbourhood policing team and also resulted in the arrests of two men, aged 31 and 33, on suspicion of immigration offences, namely remaining in the UK beyond a specified time limit. 

Sergeant Karl Browne, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Working together with partners, we recovered around £10,000 worth of illicit products and investigation work is ongoing.

"The economic impact of illegally importing tobacco is substantial, with vast sums lost in tax revenue that could be used for public services. 

“We will not cease in our work with partners to act on community concerns and disrupt criminality in our neighbourhoods."