Micro-crimewave as cops uncover illegal cigarettes
A HAUL of illegal cigarettes was found hidden within a microwave police said had been ‘stripped back’ then reassembled with packets put inside it.
Greater Manchester Police said that the seizure was made during a raid as part of a crime crackdown at a business in Heywood.
The find on Monday was coupled with the separate arrest of a man on suspicion of immigration offences and the discovery of a weapon, GMP added.
The results were revealed by the force as part of Safer Business Action Week, a specific event designed to raise awareness and clamp down on business-related criminality.
In a statement, GMP said: “The teams visited a business in Bridge Street - finding vapes not conforming to the UK’S standards - and illegal cigarettes.
“The cigarettes were found inside a microwave, which had been stripped back before being reassembled with the cigarette packets stashed within.
“The trading standards offences will subsequently be assessed, with enquiries currently ongoing.
“Meanwhile, a van was searched and subsequently seized with its driver arrested on suspicion of immigration offences, with an offensive weapon further being found during the search.
“Immigration authorities will subsequently assess the situation and determine
the appropriate outcome.
Safer Business Week, which is currently ongoing, is designed to ensure safer practices for both workers and customers.
The Partnership Enforcement Team consists of police, housing enforcement, trading standards and counter fraud teams.
Sergeant Matthew Honey, from GMP’S Heywood Neighbourhood Team, said: “Our ongoing work in Heywood helps
us change what our town centre looks like.
“We don’t want stores selling illegal goods, profiting from criminality, and exploiting vulnerable people to be a feature of our town.
“This multi-agency approach has seen us visit several stores, seize thousands of pounds worth of goods, and ensure that businesses are adhering to strict regulations which ultimately protect the public from harm.”