A mini mart has been shut down after 5,000 illegal cigarettes were discovered.

Medway Council Trading standards and a team of tobacco sniffer dogs raided the Medway Mini Mart in Canterbury Street, Gillingham.

They uncovered counterfeit and non-duty paid tobacco hidden in kitchen cupboard panels and behind furniture.

The team investigated Medway Mini Mart on six occasions and since August 2017 had confiscated 5,000 illegal cigarettes and 3kg of tobacco.

Trading Standards has now closed the shop under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

It is the fifth shop to close, found to be selling illegal tobacco, in Medway over the past three years.

Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder responsible for Trading Standards, Cllr Jane Chitty (Con) said: “Firstly I would like to thank the residents and businesses who reported this shop to us.

"The people running this business repeatedly demonstrated that they had no intention of complying with the law.

"We are committed to closing down retail units which continuously flout the law and sell illegal tobacco products.”

To report the sale of illegal tobacco call 01634 334 455 or visit www.medway.gov.uk/illegaltobacco.