A 'potential' £3.3 million illegal tobacco factory found in Gateshead

Police have arrested a 40 year old man

Author: Lynsey BagnallPublished 2nd Jul 2024

Police uncovered a potential multi-million-pound illegal tobacco factory in Gateshead yesterday morning (Monday). Officers executed a warrant at an address on Redgrave Close, near the Felling Bypass.

Officers discovered a large quantity of loose tobacco, packaging and equipment being used to produce counterfeit products, with an estimated value of around £300,000.

Police have also estimated that if all the empty tobacco pouches were filled, they would have a potential street value of around £3.3 million.

A 40-year-old man was found inside the address and subsequently arrested on suspicion of applying a false trademark to material. He is currently in police custody pending further enquiries.

The raid forms part of Operation Vienna – a joint initiative with local councils’ Trading Standards teams which involves the sharing of intelligence to help reduce crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour in the community.

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