CUSTOMS officers seized around 60,000 ‘smuggled’ cigarettes and 3kg of tobacco in a series of raids across Oxfordshire.

More than 20 premises in Witney, Banbury and Watlington were raided by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) inland detection teams.

About 57,000 cigarettes, 2.9kg of tobacco and a car were seized by officers during the raids on Wednesday and Thursday last week.

Details were only released yesterday.

Officials believe the duty evaded on the products totals about £12,000.

They refused to reveal details of where the raids took place.

HMRC spokesman Bob Gaiger said it was a “blitz to tackle the storing and selling of non-UK duty paid alcohol and tobacco products”.

He said: “We are committed to tackling anyone who is selling illicit alcohol and tobacco products.

“This is not a victimless crime.

“It costs the nation millions of pounds in lost revenue each year, which could be used to fund vital public services.”

He urged anyone with information about the sale or storage of illicit alcohol and tobacco to call the Customs hotline on 0800 59 5000 or email customs.hotline@ hmrc.gsi.gov.uk Mr Gaiger said no arrests had been made, but inquiries were continuing.