Three men were arrested in Chester last week, during an operation tackling immigration crime and the supply of counterfeit cigarettes, tobacco, and vapes.

On Friday 9 January, officers searched three retail stores and two residential addresses in Chester which were all believed to be linked to the sale of illicit tobacco.

These included three stores on Brook Street, a residential address on Walter Street, Chester, and an address on Glebe Meadows, Mickle Trafford.

Illegal cigarettes, illicit tobacco and counterfeit vapes were found in all of the stores.

Two men, aged 40 and 43, were arrested on suspicion of money laundering, while a third man was detained for immigration offences.

In total officers recovered 50,000 illicit cigarettes, and a large quantity of illegal tobacco and vapes.

Three vehicles were also seized, along with a Rolex watch, a quantity of cash and a police style baton.

Officers from Cheshire Police joined were joined by colleagues from Trading Standards as part of the FIB initiative called Operation Dockyard - supported by staff from the Western Exploitation Team, Chester Proactive Team and Chester Local Policing unit.

Detective Sergeant Paul Huxley, of the Western Exploitation Team, said: "Operation Dockyard is part of our ongoing efforts to crack down on those who are intent on selling illicit products and those involved in immigration crime.

"While many businesses across Cheshire West are operating within the law, that there are a brazen few who believe they can get away with breaking the law. But as demonstrated with this operation, we will not stand for that.

"We and our wider community partners work very hard around the clock to make our Cheshire communities a hostile environment for anyone who is looking to distribute and buy these illegal products.

"I hope this operation highlights to members of the public the volume of work that goes into keeping our residents safe from those who are intent on causing risk and harm to our communities."

The two men arrested for money laundering have since been released on bail pending further enquiries.