A major operation has taken place which has resulted in thousands of pounds worth of illicit cigarettes and tobacco pouches being seized across the region.
More than 15,000 illicit cigarettes and tobacco pouches were found - worth around £14.6k in the multi-agency operation.
Operation Machinize is a national initiative, co-ordinated by the National Crime Agency, involved Scottish Borders Trading Standards with help from Police Scotland.
Money laundering
The aim was to tackle money laundering and criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses.
Councillor Robin Tatler, Executive Member for Public Safety and Resilience
“Thank you to everyone involved. This sends a clear warning that profiting at the expense of our communities will not be tolerated.”
The one-day operation also highlighted the importance of partnership working and information provided by members of the public in helping to disrupt organised crime in local communities.
Continue to report
Now Trading Standards is encouraging residents to continue to report any concerns about suspected illicit tobacco through the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS).