A MAN accused of using his car as a "kiosk" to sell counterfeit cigarettes was caught by customs officers in sting operation.

More than 13,500 counterfeit cigarettes were seized in the swoop, in Hartlepool.

The haul, thought to be worth about £7,000, was intercepted by customs officers acting on a tip-off.

The man could now face charges under the Trademarks Act 1994 and the Fraud Act 2006.

The seizure, on Thursday, involved officers from the region's Scambusters team, with Hartlepool trading standards, customs officers and Cleveland Police.

Officers received information that the man was operating regularly from the back of a vehicle in Hartlepool's Dyke House area.

They discovered a man and woman allegedly selling counterfeit and contraband cigarettes, starting at £25 per 200 - against their retail value of £50 or more.

The sellers, who were also believed to be active in County Durham, were said to have regular "pitches" in Hartlepool twice a week, with customers queuing to buy. After the swoop, they co-operated with the enforcement agencies and the man agreed to a search of his home.

A total of 13,760 illicit cigarettes and 18.2kg of illicit hand-rolling tobacco were seized, the authorities said.

Scambusters project manager Jeff Bell said: "This type of black-market trader should take note that they are at risk of having their stock, plus their vehicles, seized and their illegal business disrupted.

"Their details will be passed to the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) and other benefits agencies. This exercise shows the advantages of agencies acting together, sharing intelligence and carrying out joint operations.

"The Scambusters team will make every effort to continue this coordination and organisational role."

Hartlepool trading standards manager Mike Welsh said: "Buyers, even at this level, expect the real stuff, but they're liable to be getting a much inferior, and probably more harmful, product when they buy counterfeits."

Anyone with information about black-market activities or other illegal trading is asked to call Consumer Direct on 08454-04- 05-06 or Crimestoppers on 0800- 555-111.