A supermarket had its licence taken away after customs officers found illegal alcohol and cigarettes.

Hertford Food Centre, in Hertford Road, Enfield, had its licence removed by Enfield Council’s licensing sub-committee last Wednesday.

The shop was visited by HMRC officers and a tobacco detection dog in February, after receiving tip offs it was selling tobacco and alcohol on which duty had not been paid.

During the raid, the dog found drawers behind the counter with false bottoms stuffed with illicit tobacco.

Overall, officers found three bottles of vodka, 93 packets of Marlboro gold cigarettes, one packet of Marlboro Red and seven pouches of Golden Virginia hand-rolling tobacco.

Previous visits to the shop in March and August last year had resulted in the seizure of 73 bottles of spirits and two packets of cigarettes on which duty had not been paid.

Enfield Council’s cabinet member for environment, Councillor Daniel Anderson, said: “We do not tolerate premises that flout the law and refuse to pay the taxes they are obliged to on items such as tobacco and alcohol. It is illegal, gives them an unfair advantage against honest traders and exposes shoppers to illegal products that may be contaminated and unsafe.

“My message to those traders who are considering breaking the law in this way is simple, comply with the law, pay your taxes and behave lawfully or we will do everything in our power to prevent you from behaving illegally in our borough. We want to promote honest, hardworking traders who provide good quality and safe products to our residents.

“Selling prohibited and potentially dangerous alcohol and cigarettes is not a sustainable business model in Enfield because we’ll come after you and shut you down.”