Potentially lethal and illegal cigarettes were seized from the streets of Ashford in an undercover operation by investigators posing as customers.

Led by retried Metropolitan Police detective chief inspector Will O'Reilly, a team of four law-enforcement trained and experienced test purchasers – including two ex-police detectives – hit the streets to find the sellers.

After successful purchases from pubs, shops and private houses, Ashford MP Damian Green, who joined the team in the operation, said he was shocked at the activity in the borough.

Mr O’Reilly explained one of the dangers of illicit cigarettes is that customers often don’t know what they’re smoking.

He said that previous tests on illicit cigarettes have found they can contain more than 30 times the usual amount of lead or arsenic, far greater quantities of heavy metals and even traces of human or animal faeces.

The illicit trade costs the taxpayer around £2.1 billion, money that has be found elsewhere.

He said: "Ultimately, the trade funds organised crime and is usually the first step for children into criminal activity."

The investigation comes just as Westminster MPs prepare to vote on the introduction of plain packaging for cigarettes in England in the coming weeks.

The move, which is expected to go through and could be implemented in 2016, would mean every packed of cigarettes would look the same.

Critics have said the decision could make smuggling illicit cigarettes much easier for criminals as the illegal products are often exposed by poorly-replicated packaging.

MP Damian Green said the move would "make life easier" for criminals pedaling the illicit trade.

Reporter Vicky Castle joined MP Damian Green on the undercover operation. For the full report see tomorrow's Kentish Express.