DETAILS have been revealed of some of the concealed compartments that have been used to store illegal tobacco across the North-East.

Concerted action against illegal tobacco dealers by enforcement teams during 2014 as part of the ongoing nationwide “Operation Henry” led to the seizure of over 65,000 cigarettes in the region.

Using sniffer dogs, trading standards teams joined up with Cleveland, Durham and Northumbria Constabularies, HMRC, the North East Trading Standards Association and Scambusters to target sales and gain intelligence about supply and distribution.

Out of 45 shops visited in the North-East between April and September 2014, 12 were found to have tobacco hidden in store. In total teams seized over 65,000 sticks, 235kg of hand rolling tobacco, 1.8kg of raw tobacco and 5kg of shisha.

Hiding places included hidden holes above light fittings to secret drawers and hollow doors. Nationwide, the total value of the seized tobacco products was £753,499.

Lisa Surtees, Acting Director of Fresh, said: "All smoking kills but illegal tobacco helps make it easier for children to buy tobacco and keeps people hooked on a habit addiction that kills over 5,000 people in our region ever year.”

World No Tobacco Day takes place on May 31 which this year is highlighting the problems of illegal tobacco in making it easier for children to smoke.