THURROCK Council’s trading standards team has seized over 100kg of carcinogenic cream being smuggled into Tilbury Docks.

The cream – which claims to lighten skin colour - contains hydroquinone, which causes both visible short- and long-term skin damage, as well as being a carcinogen and was seized at London Container Terminal in Tilbury, following a tip off from Borderforce.

Councillor Phil Smith, in charge of public protection, said: “I cannot praise the team highly enough, their work in seizing these creams has undoubtedly protected the public from potential harm.

“Once the investigation is complete the seized items will be destroyed to prevent them reaching the public.”