CUSTOMS officials searching for illegal tobacco and alcohol have swooped on premises in Aberystwyth and Cardigan.

Around 28 officers from HM Revenue and Customs who took part in an operation to disrupt the supply and sale of illegal tobacco and alcohol in south and west Wales ended up seizing hand-rolling tobacco, cigarettes and alcohol, all believed to be illicit.

Supported by trading standards, Home Office officials, police and sniffer dogs, the officers swooped on 62 retail premises and self-storage units including premises in Cardigan and Aberystwyth on 22 and 23 November.

The visits, as part of HMRC’s Tobacco Taskforce activity, led to suspected illegal tobacco and alcohol products being seized from eight premises.

The haul included 2,260 cigarettes, 112.70 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco, and 510.55 litres of alcohol.

The six sniffer dogs and their handlers helped officers uncover cigarettes hidden in various parts of the shops and storage units.

A spokesman said the total duty and VAT evaded was approximately £30,000.