Thousands of illegal cigarettes hidden in shops

Illegal hand-rolling tobacco, vapes and cigarettes have been seized during raids at convenience stores in Essex.

A trading standards team in Southend-on-Sea uncovered them at three shops, hidden in cavity walls and ceiling voids.

Officers seized more than 10,000 cigarettes, 10kg of tobacco and 1,000 non-compliant disposable vapes.

Kevin Robinson, a Southend-on-Sea City Council cabinet member, said: "These products are not only harmful to health but often tied to organised criminal activity."

The illegal products posed a greater health risk due to the presence of harmful substances, the local authority said.

It warned they "vastly exceed" UK legal limits on nicotine strength and tank size.

"Alarmingly, these dangerous products have been sold to children," a council spokesman said.

Robinson, a Labour councillor, added: "This is a strong reminder that we will take firm regulatory action against those selling illegal tobacco and vapes in Southend."

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.