ALCOHOL and tobacco were seized from two off-licences in Ealing during raids on Thursday by HM Revenue and Customs, working in partnership with Ealing police.

Two shops were visited and officers seized 1,668 litres of beer, 285 litres of wine, 440 cigarettes and 350g of hand rolling tobacco Duty and VAT had not been paid on the goods, resulting in a revenue loss of more than £3,000.

The action will result in the premises having their licences to sell alcohol re-considered by licensing officers.

Jennie Kendall spokesperson for HMRC, said: “This illegal trade has a devastating impact on legitimate retailers, who have to compete with black market traders.

“It’s robbing the UK economy of vital funding, and those selling these goods do not promote they are buying them from criminals. The profits are funding organised crime, to the detriment of all our communities.

“We appeal to local people and businesses to join us in the fight against crime and encourage anyone with information on illegally imported goods, or tax evasion and fraud, to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”

No arrests have yet been made.

The action was part of Operation Equinox, a Met Police initiative to reduce violence with Injury across London.