A shop in Brookend Street, Ross-on-Wye, has been closed since Tuesday, April 23rd when Police carried out a search of the premises.

Several Police Officers executed a warrant at around 5.30pm at Europe Quality Foods, on behalf of Trading Standards.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police told the Gazette: "A quantity of cigarettes and tobacco was seized and an interim three month closure notice has been served on the shop pending a full hearing at Hereford Magistrates Court on May 7th."UPDATE: Over 37,000 illegal cigarettes were uncovered during the raid.On the shop premises a bag was found with 134 packets of illegal cigarettes and 36 pouches of illegal hand rolling tobacco. In the car park opposite the shop, an associated vehicle contained 1761 packets of illegal cigarettes and 254 pouches of illegal hand rolling tobacco. The total seizure connected to Europe Quality Foods was 37,900 cigarettes and 14.5kg of hand rolling tobacco. All the tobacco products seized were non UK duty paid and a large proportion were counterfeit. The duty evasion from this seizure is to the value of £18,838. An earlier targeted raid on Europe Quality Foods (5 January 2019) seized 31,000 illegal cigarettes. Following a history of persistent criminality at the premises, West Mercia Police immediately served a closure notice. At Hereford Magistrates’ Court yesterday (April 24th, 2019) the shop was ordered to stay closed pending a full court hearing on May 7th, 2019 where court will have the power to issue a full three month closure order.The sale of illegal tobacco from such retail premises seriously damages honest local business. Members of the public are urged to contact Trading Standards on 01432 261761 if they have information regarding the sale of illegal tobacco within Herefordshire. www.herefordshire.gov.uk/trading-standards