TOBACCO and alcohol were seized in Acton this week following an operation by HM Revenue and Customs to clamp down on illicit trade.

Working with the police, officers seized goods from two independent stores yesterday (Tuesday), including 2,500 litres of beer, 10 litres of spirits, 2,600 litres of wine, 7,200 cigarettes and five kilos of hand-rolling tobacco The total duty evaded is around £7,670.

Jennie Kendall, spokesperson for HMRC, said: “This illegal trade has a devastating impact on legitimate retailers, who have to compete with black market traders.

“It’s robbing the UK economy of vital funding, and those selling these goods do not promote they are buying them from criminals - the profits of which are funding organised crime, to the detriment of all our communities.

“We appeal to local people and businesses to join us in the fight against crime and encourage anyone with information on illegally-imported goods, or tax evasion and fraud, to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”

Sgt Graham Edwards, of Ealing Borough Licensing, said: "In Ealing, we strive to reduce alcohol-related violence.

“The availability of cheap alcohol can cause this, and counterfeit alcohol is a potential risk to public health."

No arrests were made, but investigations are continuing.

The operation is part of Operation Equinox, a Met Police initiative to reduce violence with injury.