Two vehicles and more than 85,000 cigarettes were seized as part of the crack down on criminal gangs distributing illegal tobacco in the county.

Police stopped a van in Ashford, recovering 80,000 cigarettes and 400 pouches of hand rolling tobacco along with the van the illicit goods were being transported in.

Another bust two days later saw a number of entry warrants executed by Kent County Council’s Trading Standards and police officers in a linked operation in Ramsgate.

The group seized a further 5,040 cigarettes and more than one kilogram of hand rolling tobacco as well as another vehicle that was being used to store the illicit products.

The incidents happened on Wednesday, April 26 and Friday, April 28.

Operations manager for Trading Standards Service Clive Phillips vowed to continue working with police as the two groups look to “disrupt this organised illegal activity”.

He said: “We will continue to work with our enforcement partners using all available tactics to disrupt this organised illegal activity.

“The sale of illicit tobacco undermines local legitimate businesses and puts money into the pockets of organised criminals.

“These tobacco suppliers make smoking more affordable for young people and those attempting to quit. We will do everything in our power to protect the safety and rights of the residents and businesses of Kent.”

District Commander for Ashford Sarah Rivett added: “Kent Police takes a robust approach to illicit tobacco suppliers, because as well as being unregulated, they can be part of a wider criminal ring.

“By buying this tobacco, people are potentially helping to fund serious organised crime, such as drug dealing and other offences such as modern-day slavery.

“Operations with our partner agencies aim to disrupt this trade and take as much of this tobacco and other illegal items out of circulation. We would encourage residents to report anything suspicious in their community to help us to take action to keep people safe.”