Illegal cigarettes found hidden in 'stripped back' microwave in store raid

A haul of illegal cigarettes was found hidden within a microwave police said had been 'stripped back' then reassembled with packets put inside it.

Greater Manchester Police said the seizure was made during a raid as part of a crime crackdown at a business in Heywood, near Rochdale.

The find on Monday was coupled with the separate arrest of a man on suspicion of immigration offences and the discovery of a weapon, GMP added.

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The results were revealed by the force as part of Safer Business Action Week, a specific event designed to raise awareness and clamp down on business-related criminality. In a statement, GMP said: "The teams visited a business in Bridge Street - finding vapes not conforming to the UK's standards - and illegal cigarettes.

"The cigarettes were found inside a microwave, which had been stripped back before being reassembled with the cigarette packets stashed within. The trading standards offences will subsequently be assessed, with enquiries currently ongoing.

"Meanwhile, a van was searched and subsequently seized - with its driver arrested on suspicion of immigration offences, with an offensive weapon further being found during the search. Immigration authorities will subsequently assess the situation and determine the appropriate outcome.

Safer Business Week, which is currently ongoing, is designed to ensure safer practices for both workers and customers.

The Partnership Enforcement Team consists of police, housing enforcement, trading standards and counter