THOUSANDS more dodgy cigarettes have been taken off the streets of Huddersfield following raids on a shop and a house.

About 4,000 allegedly counterfeit and non-duty paid cigarettes were seized in a swoop at HD International Food at John William Street.

A further 13,000 cigarettes were then discovered in a search at a house search at Harp Inge in Dalton.

Police, HM Revenue and Customs and West Yorkshire Trading Standards officials also took a number of packets of shisha tobacco – used in bubble pipes – allegedly being sold illegally.

Some of the haul was discovered stashed in a secret compartment under the counter of the shop.

A customs official said: "We discovered a compartment below the till that was being used to sell to customers.

"It wasn’t particularly well concealed and when we shone a light into it we could see that it was full of cigarettes."

A man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Trade Marks Act.

Yesterday’s raid was the second on alleged illegal cigarette sellers in two weeks.

HD International Food is just doors from John William News, which was targeted a fortnight ago.

Pc Lisa Harley, part of the Huddersfield South Neighbourhood Policing Team which raided the shop, said: "This sort of thing has been going on for a while, but it used to be people bringing a few cartons back from holiday and selling them in the pub.

"Now it’s a lot more organised.

"We will continue to take action against the sale of counterfeit and non-duty paid cigarettes by inspecting premises across Kirklees."

The raid followed tip-offs from the public and a test purchase by Trading Standards.

Pc Harley added: "If people are going to try to sell these types of goods, we will find out.

"We have plenty of members of the public prepared to give us information. There’s no avoiding it."

Bailiffs working on behalf of Kirklees Council also took cash from the shop because it is alleged the shopkeeper was not paying his business rates.

Investigations are still continuing into John William News following the raid on August 5, which led to two arrests.

Revenue and Customs says anyone with information about illegal tobacco sales should call their hotline on 0800 595000.