A joint operation in Dunstable has uncovered an estimated £200,000 worth of illegal cigarettes, hand-rolling tobacco and disposable vapes.
Trading Standards team, HMRC, Bedfordshire Police and a tobacco detection dog from Specialist K9 visited Vrancea, 37 High Street North, Dunstable, as part of a joint inspection.
As Trading Standards officers entered through the front of the premises, Bedfordshire Police discovered a man at the rear of the shop carrying two large bags filled with illegal cigarettes. A set of keys found on the individual led officers to a nearby flat being used to store a significant quantity of illegal goods.
Inside the flat, officers discovered 298,240 illegal cigarettes, 11.3 kilograms of hand-rolling tobacco and 303 disposable vapes. Much of the stash was located with the help of Leo, one of the specially trained sniffer dogs.
Councillor John Baker, Executive Member for Finance and Highways at Central Bedfordshire Council, said, "This is a great example of partnership working between our Trading Standards team, HMRC, Bedfordshire Police and our canine colleagues.
"The sale of illegal tobacco and vapes not only puts public health at risk but also undermines legitimate businesses. We will continue to take firm action against those who break the law."
Meanwhile in Pendle, a crackdown on illegal working and illicit sales in Pendle has led to arrests and the seizure of tobacco, cigarettes and vapes. The operation targeted car washes, barber shops and convenience stores across the borough.
Significant quantities of illicit tobacco, cigarettes and vapes were also seized from two shops in Nelson and one in Colne.
In total, four car washes, four barber shops and six convenience stores were visited during the action.
The operation was carried out last week by the Prosper Team and Pendle Neighbourhood Policing Team, working alongside Immigration Enforcement, Trading Standards and Pendle Council.