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Erdington police seize illegal tobacco, cigarettes and drugs on Birmingham high street
Overview
West Midlands Police, working alongside Trading Standards, seized over 50,000 illegal cigarettes, 2.5kg of hand-rolling tobacco, and a car during a raid on Erdington High Street in Birmingham. The seized illicit goods are valued at over £40,000, and authorities are seeking a closure order for the premises. The operation forms part of ongoing efforts under Operation Fearless to tackle high crime levels in the area.
Key points
- Police seized more than 50,000 illegal cigarettes and 2.5kg of hand-rolling tobacco from a shop on Erdington High Street.
- A car linked to the property was also confiscated, bringing the total estimated value of illicit goods to over £40,000.
- Authorities are seeking to explore the closure of the unnamed premises through the courts.
- The raid follows the launch of Operation Fearless, a police initiative started in January 2025 to tackle criminality and high crime levels on the high street.
- Police also recently seized 27 wraps of suspected cocaine and heroin near Wilton Road, with investigations into the drugs remaining ongoing.