Shop closed after illegal goods found in ceiling

Illegal goods worth more than £4,000 have been seized from a shop in Herefordshire

A shop has been temporarily closed after illegal tobacco was found in the ceiling.

Liam Halal supermarket in Hereford was searched by Trading Standards and West Mercia Police, who were supported by sniffer dogs, on Monday.

A force spokesperson said the search revealed a "highly sophisticated concealment" hidden in the ceiling of the shop that was "operated by hydraulic rams and locks".

They added that despite no cooperation from those working in the shop, the concealment was opened by force, and a quantity of goods was seized.

In total, illegal cigarettes with an estimated equivalent retail value of £4,275 and illegal hand-rolling tobacco with a retail value of £190 were taken away.

Trading Standards officers closed the shop on the day under Closure Order Powers contained within the Crime & ASB Act 2014.

They are due to attend Herefordshire Magistrates Court to apply for a three-month closure.

Sgt Duncan Reynolds said: "The illegal tobacco products were seized by Trading Standards, who closed the shop using their powers and are now in the process of applying for a three-month closure to disrupt the criminality and help protect the public from the sale of illicit tobacco products.

"We will continue to visit stores suspected of selling counterfeit tobacco and illicit vaping products to shield our communities from harm and act where appropriate."