Contraband sold from sandwich van

Officers seized 600 cigarettes and 500 grams of tobacco

Hungry customs officers seized a mobile sandwich van when they spotted smuggled cigarettes being sold from it.

The Exeter Airport-based officers were waiting in the queue to buy food from the van when they noticed the contraband being sold by a woman before their eyes.

"Much to the woman's surprise, the officers took immediate action by seizing 600 cigarettes, 500 grams of tobacco and the sandwich van," said customs spokesman Bob Gaiger.

After questioning the 33-year-old woman, from Exeter, the van was returned to her on payment of an undisclosed penalty.

"The duty evaded on the seized tobacco goods was around £140," said Mr Gaiger.

"The officers were in uniform and were amazed that this woman should blatantly sell smuggled goods right under their noses."