Nearly 2,000 illegal cigarettes have been seized at a convenience store following a police operation.

A total of 1,900 no duty cigarettes and 25,250g pouches of illegal hand rolling tobacco were seized during the operation in Potters Bar between police and Hertfordshire Trading Standards on Friday, January 10.

Hertfordshire Constabulary and Trading Standards have now issued a warning against the sale of illegal tobacco products following the joint operation.

Councillor Terry Hone, cabinet member for community protection and waste management at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “Working together with our partner agencies we can ensure that consumers are protected and local businesses that trade legally are supported and given the opportunity to thrive in our communities.”

Police constable Paul Francis, from Potters Bar Safer Neighbourhood Team, added: “We take these offences seriously and work with partner agencies to investigate, search for and seize these products.

“I would encourage retailers in the town to not be tempted to stock items like this and Potters Bar residents not to purchase such items as there is a greater risk to their health with not knowing the origins or contents of these products.”