One of the UK’s largest illicit tobacco hauls has been uncovered in Lincolnshire, police said.

Lincolnshire Police said three vans were required to remove 348,500 cigarettes and more than 280 kg (620 lbs) of hand-rolling tobacco discovered during a raid in Boston.

Together, the products were estimated to be worth more than £525,000, the force said. Officers also seized £2,000 in cash.

Two men, aged 36 and 29, were arrested on suspicion of possession of forged or counterfeit goods for export or import, as well as duty or tax evasion offences.

The crackdown was part of Operation Lockstream, a three-day enforcement operation aimed at tackling organised immigration crime.