£150,000 in suspected illegal cash and thousands of illicit cigarettes seized in North Tyneside
More than £150,000 in cash suspected to be linked to criminality, 20,000 illicit cigarettes and prescription drugs have been seized.
Acting on intelligence, officers from Killingworth’s Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) and North Tyneside Council made the discovery at a house in Killingworth.
The teams located about £150,000 in cash and 1,038 cigarette packets containing 20,760 individual cigarettes, as well as 553 pouches of hand-rolled tobacco, which are all believed to be illegal. A total of 465 Viagra pills were also seized.
An investigation is ongoing by Trading Standards into the discovery.
Sergeant Peter Mcall, of North Tyneside Area Command, said: “This is a brilliant example of partnership working helping us to uncover a huge sum of cash which we believe to be the proceeds of crime as well as illicit cigarettes and tobacco.
“By working alongside the local authority, we are able to share intelligence and target those we think are engaging in illegal activity.”
Sgt Mcall added: “This latest find also shows the value of neighbourhood policing.
“We are rooted in our communities and are here to listen to the concerns of local residents and take action.
“We rely on the public to be our eyes and ears so if you do have information which can assist in our work, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and provide details to us.
“Together, we can help keep our neighbourhoods as safe as possible for all.”
Cllr Carl Johnson, North Tyneside Council’s Deputy Mayor, said: "This seizure highlights the strength of the partnership between North Tyneside Council's Trading Standards team and Northumbria Police.
“All tobacco kills but illegal tobacco is often linked to wider criminality, undermines legitimate local businesses and puts unregulated products into our communities.
“We will continue to work closely with our partners to investigate illegal trading, take robust enforcement action where appropriate and help keep our communities safe."
Anyone with information about suspected criminality in their local area can get in touch with Northumbria Police by sending a direct message on social media, or by using the live chat or ‘report’ function on the Force’s website.
Those who can’t contact the Force online, can call 101.