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Cigarettes seized in Fylde raids
HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds of cigarettes have been seized in a series of dawn raids across the Fylde coast.
The massive haul was discovered as officers from Lancashire Police' Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) smashed down doors at addresses in Blackpool, St Annes, Warton and Wesham.
Leading detectives today said they believed the suspects arrested were involved in a complex network transporting cigarettes into the UK from Europe.
The operation - code named Bittern - also saw a house near Burnley raided.
A 38-year-old man from Blackpool and a 34-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman from Wesham have all been arrested on suspicion of tax evasion and money laundering.
The raids took place on Adelaide Street, Blackpool, Wimbourne Road, Blackpool, Catherine Street, Wesham, Bank Lane, Warton, Inner Promenade, St Annes and Stockbridge Road, Padiham.
The four people arrested are now in custody and were questioned by detectives on Thursday afternoon.
That questioning is expected to continue into Friday.
For the full story read Friday's Gazette.
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 20 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 8 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 30 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: South west
