MORE than 75,000 cigarettes worth almost £20,000 have been seized and a man has been arrested in raids by officials.

A total of 77,480 cigarettes, 28.55kg of hand rolling tobacco and money were confiscated in the raids at a shop in Seaham and a home in Blackhall Colliery.

The retail value of the cigarettes and tobacco seized was between £20,000 and £25,000.

A man was arrested on suspicion of being involved in the supply of counterfeit cigarettes.

Owen Cleugh, Durham County Council’s consumer protection manager, said: “Illegal tobacco affects our communities on many levels.

“Supplies of illegal tobacco make it easier for children to get hold of cigarettes and to start smoking.

“Children are often aware of who sells illegal tobacco locally, and at pocket money prices.”

The raids were carried out by the council’s trading standards officers last week who were executing warrants issued by magistrates.

They were assisted by officers from Durham Constabulary and accompanied by immigration officials.

The man who was arrested has been questioned by officers.

The operation is the latest by the council’s trading standard service targeting supplies of illegal tobacco products.

Mr Cleugh said: “Cheap tobacco also encourages people to keep smoking and to smoke more.

“The illicit tobacco trade is furthermore linked to serious criminality, which can have a devastating impact on communities.”

Officers seized 3,874 packets of 20 cigarettes, a total of 77,480.

Based on a price of £4 to £5 per pack, their retail value was between £15,496 and £19,370.

They recovered 571 50g packets of hand rolling tobacco, a total of 28.55kg.

Based on a price of £9 per pack, their retail value was £5,139.

This gave a total retail value for the cigarettes and tobacco of £20,635 to £24,509.

He added: “Sellers of counterfeit tobacco can face up to ten years in prison, unlimited fines, as well as having their assets seized under Proceeds of Crime legislation.

“Those who sell it should be warned that raids like these are not a one-off and that we are committed to acting wherever we can to combat the supply of these products in our neighbourhoods.”

Anyone with information on the sale of illegal tobacco is encouraged to report it by calling the Illegal Tobacco Hotline on 0300-999-0000.