Dozens of packs of counterfeit tobacco were seized during police and local authority raids.

North Wales Police officers, working in conjunction with Flintshire Council, executed a drugs warrant at five stores in Flint and Holywell.

The warrants were executed with a view to locating and seizing counterfeit tobacco and to check that all stores were working within their licensing conditions.

In partnership with Trading Standards officers , immigration officers and licensing officers, the operation did not recover any drugs, but 40 packs of counterfeit tobacco were seized at one shop in Chester Street, Flint.

A fixed penalty notice was issued to one man working illegally and some shop owners were given advice for failing to abide by the conditions of their licenses

This improvement advice be will be followed up with the stores involved.

Sergeant Alison Sharp, North Wales Police, said: “This sends a clear message to these shopkeepers that any illegal activity will not be tolerated and that working together with other agencies , we will make sure such businesses comply with the law.”