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Police find illegal cigarettes hidden in shop wall

News imageSuffolk Police Illegal cigarettes and tobacco were found hidden behind a white tiled wall panel. Suffolk Police
Illegal cigarettes and tobacco are found hidden behind a wall panel

Police have found a quantity of illegal tobacco and cigarettes hidden in a wall and floor of a shop.

Suffolk Police said officers stopped a person in the street in Lowestoft on Sunday, who they suspected had illegal tobacco on them.

After confirming where it was bought from, the police town centre team said it went to the shop where a male behind the counter, who "claimed not to work there" was arrested. He then tried to escape out the back, but officers jumped over the counter and detained him.

Officers then found two "hides" in the rear of the store which both contained illegal tobacco, which has been handed to trading standards for them "to progress and investigate further".

News imageSuffolk Police Cigarettes hidden in a container in a tiled floor are exposed after the tiles and secret cabinet are lifted out of the floor. Suffolk Police
Cigarettes hidden in a container in a tiled floor are exposed after being lifted out

The force said the shop had been locked up and appealed to its owner to come to Lowestoft Police Station "where you are welcome to collect the keys along with proof of ownership of the shop".

Suffolk Trading Standards has been contacted for more detail and comment.

News imageSuffolk Police A pile of illegal cigarettes and tobacco lay in a heap on a floor. Suffolk Police
Trading Standards are now being asked to investigate the illegal cigarettes and tobacco

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