A POLICE visit to a corner shop led to the discovery of one of the biggest hauls of illegal products in Worcestershire in recent history.
The cigarettes and tobacco, estimated to have a street worth of £145,000, were seized after police found them hidden in an upstairs storeroom at Evesham Grocers Limited on Port Street.
A small number of illegal vapes were also seized by the officers.
The officers, from Evesham's Town Centre Team, had entered the mini market for an engagement visit after people contacted police about the store's dealings.
Duncan Eades, police sergeant 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."
In 2021, the Super Mini Market, also on Port Street, was found have £23,000 worth of illegal stock.
Evesham Grocers Limited has now been identified for further investigations by Trading Standards officers.
The business may lose its license or forced to close.
Mr Eades added: "We will not cease in our work with partners to act on community concerns and disrupt such operations in the future."
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