Nearly 1,000 “duty free” cigarette packets worth thousands of pounds have been seized after police stopped a “suspicious vehicle” in Bury town centre.

Officers had been in the town centre on the afternoon of Saturday, August 17 as part of "Operation Heartbeat" when they cam across the vehicle.

On searching it they found 990 packets of cigarettes worth a total of around £13,000.

On Saturday evening, a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) spokesperson said: “PCs Layotn, Junaid and Myers have been out and about the town centre this afternoon.

“Not long after being out they came across a suspicious vehicle.

Nearly 1,000 cigarettes were foundNearly 1,000 cigarettes were found (Image: GMP)

“After a search of the vehicle the officers discovered two large boxes containing 990 packets of duty-free Lambert and Butler cigarettes, the approximate value of these cigarettes is £13,000.

“The ‘owner’ of these cigarettes has been identified and will be dealt with in due course in conjunction with Bury Council’s trading standards team.

Officers say that this is an example of “targeted disruption to tackle offenders where it hurts most, their pockets".

They have also warned on the damaging effects smoking has on people’s health, especially “illegal tobacco and vaping products".

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A GMP spokesperson said: “You don't know what ingredients are in these which puts you at further risk of harm!”

Anyone with any more information or concerns can call police on 101 or 999 in the event of an emergency.

Alternatively, witnesses can call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.