£30,000 CASH AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CIGARETTES: ROMFORD POLICE UNCOVER HUGE OPERATION AFTER PROACTIVE VEHICLE STOP.
£30,000 in cash, more than 6,000 cigarettes and then a massive discovery at a suspect’s home: proactive Romford police officers have uncovered a huge illicit tobacco operation following a vehicle stop.
Romford Town Centre officers were carrying out proactive patrols in and around the town centre on Friday 19 September when they stopped a vehicle on the Union Road estate.
The officers had initially observed suspicious behaviour and suspected that the driver may have been supplying controlled drugs.
The driver was detained for a search under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
What officers discovered during that search immediately raised further concerns.
Police found an extremely large quantity of cash, believed to be in excess of £20,000 to £30,000.
The driver was unable to account for the money or provide proof that it had come from a legitimate source.
He was arrested on suspicion of money laundering.
But officers then made another significant discovery.
During the vehicle search, they found more than 6,000 foreign-branded cigarettes which police suspect were being sold.
Officers subsequently searched the suspect’s home address.
There they discovered an extremely large quantity of cigarettes, believed to number several hundred thousand.
An image of the seizure has been released by police.
The driver was interviewed by officers from CID and has been bailed to return on 18 December 2026 while enquiries continue.
Police will now engage with Havering Council’s Trading Standards team and HM Revenue and Customs regarding the evidence uncovered.
Officers say the investigation will examine the sale of illegal, counterfeit or smuggled cigarettes, with further enforcement action to follow where appropriate.
The operation was carried out by Romford Town Centre officers as part of their proactive work to tackle criminality in and around the town centre.
Chief Inspector Charlie Routley told The Havering Daily that the discovery demonstrates why tackling illicit tobacco is about far more than simply removing cheap cigarettes from circulation.
He said:
“This is about much more than ‘cheap cigarettes’. The discovery of a substantial amount of cash alongside a large quantity of illicit tobacco highlights the clear links between this trade, money laundering and organised crime. Illicit tobacco poses serious health risks, undermines legitimate businesses and, through our local intelligence, we know it can be sold to children. The profits generated from this trade can also be used to fund wider criminality, causing significant harm to the communities we serve.
“Havering Police and Havering Council will continue to work together to disrupt this activity, target those responsible and utilise all available enforcement powers, including Closure Orders where appropriate. Our approach goes beyond simply seizing tobacco. It is about following the money, identifying those behind the supply chain and making our high streets safer for residents while protecting legitimate businesses.
“Our communities remain our eyes and ears. If you have concerns about a business or individual involved in the sale of illicit tobacco or other criminal activity, please report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online. Information provided by residents can help us develop intelligence, identify those responsible and take effective enforcement action.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
What began with Romford Town Centre officers carrying out proactive patrols and stopping a vehicle has now developed into a significant investigation involving suspected money laundering and the illegal tobacco trade.
The discovery of the cash and huge quantities of cigarettes demonstrates the importance of officers acting on suspicious behaviour and following the evidence when they uncover potential criminal activity.
Police, Havering Council’s Trading Standards team and HMRC will now work together as enquiries continue.
The driver remains on police bail while investigators establish the full circumstances surrounding the cash and tobacco seized.
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