MORE than 6,000 counterfeit cigarettes and £5,000 in cash has been seized after a car was stopped by police.

A Runcorn man has also been arrested after officers on patrol on Ashcroft Street in Fingerpost, St Helens, at around 11.20am yesterday, Thursday, stopped a car linked to an ongoing investigation.

During a search of the vehicle, they made the discovery and a 43-year-old man from Runcorn was arrested on suspicion of possessing criminal property.

He has been released under investigation.

DCI Ben Wayment, of Merseyside Police, said: “Thanks to the swift action taken by these officers, they were able to search the vehicle, seize the items and make an arrest.

“We take the sale of counterfeit goods extremely seriously.

"It is often linked to organised crime groups who use the sale of these goods to fund their illegal activity, which can have a devastating impact on communities.

“The recovery of more than 6,000 cigarettes will have significantly disrupted the activities of those involved, and we ask anyone with any information about suspected illegal activity in the area to contact us.

“Often, these products are untested, unlicensed and pose a risk to the health of anyone who uses them, as no one knows what they contain.

“If you have any information about the sale or possession of counterfeit goods, please make us aware so we can take action."