A man from Bexley is among four people arrested on suspicion of tobacco smuggling

The unnamed 63-year-old was arrested yesterday (June 6) after a joint operation between HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Southwark Council Trading Standards officers.

Ten houses and business were raided in Bermondsey and Crawley, where the four men were arrested.

Officers discovered a haul of £20,000 in cash, 200,000 cigarettes and 89kgs of hand rolling tobacco.

Three vehicles were also seized.

The estimated revenue loss from the confiscated tobacco is around £80,000.

MORE TOP STORIES Anthony Swarbrick, assistant director of criminal investigations at HMRC, said: “The sale of illegal tobacco will not be tolerated by us or our partner agencies.

“Disrupting criminal trade is at the heart of our strategy to clampdown on the illicit tobacco market, which costs the UK over £2 billion a year in stolen revenue.

“This is theft from the taxpayer and money that should be funding our public services.”

The four men, including two men aged 55 and 49 from Southwark and a 60-year-old man from Crawley, were interviewed under caution by the HMRC and bailed until September.

If you have any information about illegal sales contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.