Police and Trading Standards officials have seized thousands of illegal cigarettes after a series of raids across Kirklees... and discovered highly elaborate ways shopkeepers are using to hide them.

They went to eight shops and had to use sniffer dogs to find the hauls they were so well concealed.

Specially-built hidey holes were found in countertops, behind false walls and shelves of food.

Some could only be opened when they were triggered by a switch, button or lever and were hidden behind false walls and shelves.

In total, more than 30,000 cigarettes and 15kg of hand rolling tobacco were found – some of which are suspected to be counterfeit – along with various niche tobacco products which were not appropriately labelled. The street value is more than £8,000.

Illicit cigarette haul from shops in Kirklees

The raids were carried out under the codename Operation Dill to coincide with Stoptober, a 28-day national stop smoking challenge. Stopping smoking for 28 days means you’re five times more likely to stop for good and last year, thousands of people successfully quit in the biggest mass participation stop smoking challenge ever.

Over the past two years, public health services across West Yorkshire have joined forces to fund the Tackling Illicit Tobacco for Better Health Programme. This has allowed West Yorkshire Trading Standards to create a dedicated team of officers that are following up on intelligence received to crack down on the sale of cheap and illicit tobacco.

Clr Ken Smith from West Yorkshire Trading Standards Committee said: “All tobacco – both legal and illegal – kills half of all long-term smokers. Children and young smokers are often targeted by people who sell illegal cigarettes, making it even easier for them to get hooked on smoking. The people making money out of this do not care who they sell to.”

Illicit cigarette haul from shops in Kirklees

David Lodge, Head of West Yorkshire Trading Standards said, “The illegal sale of tobacco in communities enables and encourages young children to buy it cheaply. It is really great that so many partners are working to tackle traders who break the law. I would like to thank members of the public for reporting illegal sales and encourage everyone to continue doing so to reduce the harm caused by tobacco in our communities.”

People can report this type of activity to the Citizens Advice Consumer helpline on 03454 040506 and fulfil their role in protecting our future generations.”

Anybody wanting support to quit should contact 0800 612 00 11 or your local NHS stop smoking service.