Evesham shop could be closed after 'one of the biggest' hauls of illegal cigarettes in years

Illegal cigarettes and tobacco - with an estimated street value of £145,000 - were seized from a mini market in Worcestershire. Police raided Evesham Grocers Limited, based in Port Street, on Tuesday, November 12.

A haul of counterfeit products were discovered hidden in an upstairs storeroom inside the shop, police said. A small quantity of illegal vapes were also seized.

West Mercia Police said it was one of the biggest hauls of counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco in Worcestershire in recent years. Trading Standards has launched a probe which could end with the shop being ordered to close.

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Police Sergeant Duncan Eades of West Mercia Police said: "We carried out this store visit with our partners at Trading Standards in response to community concerns around the illegal sale of counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco there. Working together, we recovered around £145,000 worth of illicit products - one of the biggest hauls in Worcestershire in recent years.

“Illegal tobacco products like these are often linked to serious and organised crime so it’s important we continue our work to seize them before they go on sale and continue to fund potential criminal enterprises. We will not cease in our work with partners to act on community concerns and disrupt such operations in the future.

“The public are our eyes and ears on the ground so if you think you suspect criminal activities near you please approach your Safer Neighbourhood Officer or report it to us via our website Report A Crime | West Mercia Police.”