MORE than 31,000 illegal cigarettes were seized in a raid on a premises in Evesham.
A joint operation saw officers from West Mercia Police and Worcestershire Trading Standards swoop in on the premises yesterday (Wednesday).
There they discovered 31,650 illegal cigarettes with a street value of about £5,200.
The operation in Evesham was part of a coordinated series of raids with Sandwell Trading Standards into the distribution, possession and sale of illegal tobacco.
Raids in Sandwell saw officers seize more than 500,000 individual illegal cigarettes from six premises.
Coun Lucy Hodgson, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Communities, said: “Our Trading Standards professionals take the sale of illegal cigarettes very seriously. We have strategic partnerships with other enforcement bodies and work together to combat this crime.
“Illegal cigarettes are sold at pocket money prices and we need to protect youngsters from the scourge of smoking.
“We also need to protect the public purse and illegal cigarettes avoid the tax revenue that should be pumped back into our schools and hospitals.
“Shop keepers found to be storing, distributing or selling illegal tobacco could face losing their alcohol licence as a consequence, as well as being prosecuted.”
Anyone with information on illegal tobacco sales can contact the Police on 101. Confidential reports can be made online at www.worcestershirets.gov.uk/report-it.aspx or via the citizens advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06.
