Thousands of illegal cigarettes and vapes seized

Thousands of illegal cigarettes, banned disposable vapes, stolen tobacco and wine and have been seized in raids on three convenience stores.

The contraband was uncovered in an operation targeting two shops on Church Road in St George, Bristol, and another on nearby Two Mile Hill.

Officers from Avon and Somerset Police along with officials from Bristol City Council's Trading Standards Team, HM Revenue and Customs and the Home Office found 90,000 illegal cigarettes and 11.5kg of stolen tobacco.

They also found a quantity of stolen wine and several boxes of disposable vapes. Two men in their 20s were arrested in connection with the raids.

One of the suspects was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the evasion of duty and has been released under investigation.

The second was detained on suspicion of both working and entering the UK illegally and has been placed on immigration bail, which requires him to report regularly to the Home Office.

A spokesperson for the Home Office warned any business found to be employing illegal workers risks a fine of up to £45,000 per worker for a first breach and up to £60,000 for repeat offending.

Inspector Richard Jones, of Avon and Somerset Police, said officers would "continue to root out unscrupulous businesses in other areas of the city".

He urged members of the public to continue to report concerns.

Councillor Stephen Williams, who chairs the council's Public Health and Communities Committee, said: "The sale of illegal tobacco and non-compliant goods damages public health, deprives public services of funding through tax and duty evasion, undermines legitimate businesses and, in some cases, can be linked to wider criminality and exploitation."

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