A shopkeeper tried to run away from police after thousands of illegal cigarettes were discovered.
Greater Manchester Police officers and officers from Trading Standards raided two shops in north Bolton yesterday (Thursday).
In one, they found 7,360 illegal cigarettes in a hidden, electric drop-down compartment at the back of the shop.
In the other, the shopkeeper tried to run out the back of the shop with a bag full of illegal cigarettes, police said.
He was stopped and the shop was searched, where police found more illicit goods.
Around 10,000 illegal cigarettes were seized overall.
Pictures of the cigarettes were posted on GMP Bolton North Facebook page last night.
Alongside the pictures, an officer added: "Many of the cigarettes seized today were counterfeit, meaning we don't even know what goes into making them.
"Not only are they harmful to you, no doubt the shopkeepers will be selling them to children, and the profits of these will find it's way back to organised criminal gangs."
