American candy store raided after tourists are charged £900 for two packs of sweets

A hidden tunnel and £80,000 worth of counterfeit goods were found in an Oxford Street American candy store after a tourist was charged £899 for two packs of sweets.

The Metropolitan Police said they received a complaint from a foreign tourist who was massively overcharged for the goods three weeks ago.

They returned to the store with the victim to make sure they got a refund, and then carried out a raid on the premises a few days later.

Two shop assistants were able to escape the police after fleeing through a hidden panel in the basement wall back up to street level.

But officers discovered the largest-ever haul of suspected fake goods from an Oxford Street store, worth around £80,000.

This includes 30,000 cigarettes, 3,182 single-use vapes, 598 nicotine pouches, 226 heated tobacco pouches and 61 travel adaptors or power banks.

Some cereals and sweets were also seized due to it containing ingredients banned in the UK.

Adam Hug, Labour leader of Westminster City Council, said: ‘We have known for a long time that US candy stores rip off customers, but charging £900 for two packets of sweets is a new low, even for the unscrupulous people who run these rackets.

‘Our job is to protect people who visit the West End from being exploited and continuing raids and court appearances will ensure life is sour for the rogue US sweet shop trade.

‘Hopefully, the fall in the number of US candy and souvenir shops means the tide is going out on this tatty trade.’

The number of candy and souvenir stores on Oxford Street has fallen from 40 during the pandemic to 18 in March.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.