Major discovery in joint police and council operation
More than £150,000 in suspected criminal proceeds and a large cache of illicit tobacco and prescription medication have been seized during a targeted search at a house in Killingworth. The operation, carried out by Killingworth’s Neighbourhood Policing Team alongside North Tyneside Council, followed intelligence-led enquiries and forms part of ongoing efforts to disrupt organised illicit trade in the borough.
Officers and council officers recovered cash believed to be linked to crime, 1,038 packets of cigarettes amounting to 20,760 individual sticks, and 553 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco. They also seized 465 Viagra pills. Trading Standards has opened an investigation into the find, with enquiries continuing.
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.”
Seizure at a glance
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Suspected criminal cash | £150,000+ |
| Illicit cigarette packets | 1,038 (totalling 20,760 cigarettes) |
| Hand-rolling tobacco pouches | 553 |
| Prescription pills (Viagra) | 465 |
Police said the discovery underlines the role of neighbourhood officers who work closely with local residents and partner agencies to identify and act on concerns. The council’s Trading Standards team will assess the material, with enforcement options to be considered as part of the inquiry.
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.”
Council warns on harms of illicit tobacco
The local authority stressed that unregulated tobacco products are frequently intertwined with wider criminality and can undermine legitimate traders. There are also clear public health concerns: cut‑price, counterfeit or illicitly supplied tobacco can facilitate youth access and evade safety standards, while diverting revenue from compliant businesses.
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."
Community role and how to report concerns
Neighbourhood policing relies on information from residents about suspicious activity, including potential storage or sale of illegal goods. Officers emphasise that tip‑offs help direct resources to the right addresses and rapidly escalate action when evidence indicates criminality. In practice, this means residents flagging unusual deliveries, changes in trading patterns, or cigarette and tobacco products sold at unusually low prices without appropriate health warnings or duty markings.
- Report information to Northumbria Police via direct message on social media.
- Use the live chat or report function on the Force’s website for non‑emergencies.
- In an emergency or where a crime is in progress, use the usual emergency channels.
While the investigation continues, police and Trading Standards are expected to examine the provenance of the seized goods and the suspected proceeds of crime. Any further action will depend on evidential findings, with potential for prosecutions or civil recovery where appropriate. The partners say visible enforcement sends a clear signal to those dealing in illicit products that North Tyneside is not a soft target.
This operation is the latest demonstration of coordinated action across the borough to tackle the supply of illegal tobacco and related criminal enterprises. Residents across Killingworth and the wider area are being urged to continue sharing intelligence to help keep communities safe and to support legitimate local businesses that follow the rules.
