Illicit Tobacco Operation - Broad Street, Pershore

Illicit cigarettes with a street value of around £4,000 were discovered in a hidden compartment when officers joined partner agencies on a store visit today (Monday 15 December).

Pershore Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) carried out the operation with Trading Standards at a premises on Broad Street in Pershore following intelligence that they were selling the illegal tobacco products.

SNT and Trading Standards carried out a search during which they found the haul in a hidden hydraulic lift compartment behind a light fitting.

They recovered approximately £4,000 worth of illicit cigarettes. Enquiries are on-going with Trading Standards/HMRC now taking on the investigation.

PC William Underhill of Pershore SNT said: “Today we visited a retailer suspected of selling illicit cigarettes in a joint operation with Trading Standards.

“During our search we discovered £4,000 of illegal products concealed behind a light fitting in the roof of the store which have now been recovered by our partners.

“We will continue to target stores suspected of selling counterfeit tobacco to protect our communities from harm and act where appropriate.

“The black market for illegal products undermines legitimate retailers and is often connected to organised criminal gangs and modern-day slavery.”