Joint raids by police and trading standards have searched five buildings in Colchester today, seizing around £10,000 in illegal tobacco products.

Essex Police and Essex Trading Standards searched the buildings as part of Operation Trivium, a nationwide initiative targeting foreign criminality.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police assisted officers from Trading Standards when five search warrants were executed in Colchester on Wednesday October 22 in connection with suspected illegal cigarettes.

“Two commercial premises and three privates address were searched as part of Operation Trivium.

“Trading Standards officers seized a quantity of cigarettes during searches.”

An Essex Trading Standards spokesperson said: “This joint Essex Police and Essex Trading Standards operation involved the execution of five warrants to three commercial premises and two residential addresses in Colchester.

“Despite an elaborate system to keep the goods hidden, a large amount of counterfeit rolling tobacco and non-duty paid cigarettes were found in a retail premises with the help of a specially trained sniffer dog.

“One man was arrested and later bailed pending further enquiries.”