18,000 illegal cigs seized

Two people have been arrested and more than 18,000 suspectedillicitcigarettesseized followingdawnraidsinCounty Durham.

More than £8,000 was alsorecoveredbetweenthetwo residential addresses in Seaham on Tuesday.

A woman in her late twenties and a man in his early 40s were arrested.

Durham County Council’s consumer protection officers seized 18,320 cigarettes and 40.3 kilos of hand rolling tobacco with an estimated street value of £9,500, alongsidemorethan£8,000incash.

The tobacco was believed to be either counterfeit or ‘cheap whites’ brands.