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Hello Uppingham,
One of the main issues raised to me by local residents has been around the sale of illegal cigarettes and tobacco in the area.
These issues predominantly fall under the remit of Trading Standards.
However…
I managed to locate a vehicle linked to criminality as it was halfway through dropping illegal cigarettes and tobacco to a shop in Uppingham.
The driver didn’t appear to want to finish his delivery and decided to pack up and drive off.
...I caught up with the driver to have a word.
Upon searching the boot of the vehicle, I discovered an estimated £3,000 worth of illegal cigarettes and tobacco.
Three mobile phones and £625 in cash was also seized.
It transpires the driver was on his way to another shop in Rutland to deliver some of this contraband to another shop.
The driver was subsequently arrested, and the investigation has been passed over to our friends at Trading Standards.
The sale of illegal cigarettes and tobacco;
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Costs the UK government over £2 billion annually in lost tax revenue, according to the National Trading Standards. This loss of funds contributes to a "black hole" in the economy, as the money goes to criminals instead of being reinvested in communities and public services.
Can often be linked to wider, more serious crimes.
Can be dangerous and unsanitary – Previously, the Local Government Association warned that some black-market cigarettes contained "human excrement, dead flies and asbestos".
#YouSaidWeDid
PC GEORGE | 
