Illegal cigarettes and tobacco worth thousands seized from corner shop

Illegal cigarettes and tobacco, estimated to be worth £145,000, has been discovered and seized from a corner shop. The counterfeit goods were found hidden in an upstairs storeroom in at Evesham Grocers Limited on Port Street, Evesham.

On Tuesday, November 12, Evesham Town Centre Team collaborated with Worcestershire Trading Standards to uncover one of the largest seizures of counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco in recent years. A small number of illegal vapes were also taken.

The Trading Standards Office is now set to carry out an investigation into the shop, police have said. A potential result of their investigation may see the store lose its licences, or be hit with a closure order.

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Police Sergeant Duncan Eades of Evesham Town Centre Team 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 which is one of the biggest hauls in recent years in Worcestershire.

“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.”