Hundreds more kilos of illicit tobacco and litres of alcohol have been removed from stores in Ealing and Harrow following further raids by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

HMRC officers, in partnership with Ealing Police Licensing Unit, seized 188kg of hand rolling tobacco seized 7,000 cigarettes, 1,845 litres of non UK duty paid alcohol and 27,000 Indian made beedi cigarettes from stores in Ealing, London.

The total duty evaded is thought to be nearly £43,000.

In Harrow, Wembley and Greenford, HMRC officers in partnership with Harrow Borough Council, discovered 16kg of illicit hand rolling tobacco 7,000 cigarettes and 100 litres of wines and spirits.

HMRC spokeswoman Jennie Kendall urged other local retailers to join it in the fight back against the illicit trade.

“We encourage anyone with information on illegally imported goods, or tax evasion and fraud, to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000,” she 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.”

No arrests have currently been made. Investigations are ongoing.