Thousands of counterfeit cigarettes and a haul of tobacco has been seized from addresses in Hayes, following a Trading Standards raid.
Three premises were visited and 36,405 cigarettes, 17,200g hand rolling tobacco and 20,083g chewing tobacco were included amongst the total quantity seized.
Hillingdon Council's Trading Standards team conducted raids at premises in Uxbridge Road and Coldharbour Lane on Wednesday September 16 following complaints about the sale of illicit tobacco.
The multi-agency operation was organised by Trading Standards, and assisted by HMRC and the police. They were also accompanied by Wagtail, an organisation which provides expertly trained dogs for the detection of concealed tobacco.
A representative from the Tobacco Industry was present to confirm identification of goods.
Cllr Jonathan Bianco, cabinet member for finance, property and business services, said: "This is a great outcome for us and clearly shows that crime doesn't pay in the end.
“Our advice to shop owners is if anyone approaches you with suspiciously cheap goods, don't get involved, but take their details and report them to trading standards straight away.
“The council will continue to work together with other agencies and we will be out again to put an end to these illegal activities in the borough."
The premises cannot be named as investigations are ongoing.
