More than 1,400 packs of illegal cigarettes and tobacco, believed to be worth £18,000, have been seized from a shop in Preston on Tuesday (17).
Around £10,000 in cash, hidden in a concealed compartment and suspected to be the proceeds of crime, was also seized.
Trading Standards inspected the premises with the assistance of Lancashire Police, and the seizures followed recent intelligence received from the public, together with complaints about sales received from other enforcement agencies.
During the last twelve months, there have been 37 seizures of illicit tobacco from Lancashire retailers, and 12 convictions in cases brought by Trading Standards at local courts for the supply of illicit tobacco. Complaints of sales to children often go hand-in-hand with complaints of illicit tobacco.
County Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Lancashire County Council, said: "These traders had gone to considerable lengths to hide their haul of illicit and counterfeit tobacco. The sophisticated hiding places we are currently finding demonstrate the value of this illegal trade.
"Our officers often find packs stashed away in electronically operated secret compartments under counters and in walls, or hidden in vehicles and store rooms. Cheap illicit tobacco is readily available to young people and encourages them to smoke and become addicted.
