Illegal tobacco worth £17k found in Just Eat bag

Almost £17,000 worth of illegal tobacco and cigarettes were found in a Just Eat bag and another holdall after police were tipped off by the public.

Essex Police said suspicions were raised about a red Nissan Micra at Warrior Square, Southend-on-Sea, on Wednesday.

While searching the car, officers found hundreds of packets of illicit cigarettes and more than half a kilo of prohibited tobacco in two bags.

The haul had a street value of £16,911 and PC Reef Peetom described it as a "significant seizure".

"I've thanked the member of the public who spotted something that concerned him and contacted us," Peetom added.

No arrests were made and the illegal goods were seized for destruction.

Just Eat has been contacted for comment.

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