Shop shut after illegal vapes and cigarettes seized

A town centre shop has been shut down after police found suspected illegal cigarettes and vapes.

Suffolk Police said officers on a routine foot patrol in Ipswich noticed a member of the public "leaving a shop with multiple packets of suspected illicit cigarettes".

A man working inside the premises was arrested on suspicion of fraudulent evasion of excise duty, the force added.

The unnamed shop was searched and a large quantity of suspected illicit cigarettes and tobacco pouches were found hidden behind the counter with a price list.

The force added: "A significant number of vapes being offered for sale were suspected of being illegal. Some disposable vapes appeared to contain up to 10 times the permitted e-liquid capacity.

"Unregulated products such as these can pose a risk to consumers, which is why removing them from sale remains an important part of our work alongside partner agencies."

The case has been referred to Suffolk Trading Standards.