Thousands of fake cigarettes seized on High Street North, East Ham

Fake cigarettes, thought to have been imported from abroad, were seized by Trading Standards officers on Wednesday.

A total of 2,400 counterfeit Marlboro cigarettres and 12 kilogrammes of duty-evaded snuff and chewing tobacco were confiscated from traders in High Street North, East Ham, who cannot be named yet for legal reasons.

Approximately 5,000 duty-evaded cigarettes of various brands were also taken from three further shops.

Newham Council officers ask residents to be vigilant because fake cigarettes found in the past have contained floor sweepings and mouse droppings.

The seizures were part of the latest Operation Ohio, an ongoing crime and anti-social behaviour programme where council enforcement officers team up with Section 92 police officers - paid for by the council - to conduct 48 hour crackdowns on one square mile of the borough at a time.

Cllr Unmesh Desai, executive member for crime and anti-social behaviour, said: “Newham residents must be very vigilant for these cigarettes. Make no mistake they could be dangerous.”

Ilegal cigarettes should be reported to Newham Trading Standards on 08454 04 05 06.