‘Dogged’ determination sniffs out illegal tobacco

Sniffer dogs Billy and Lilly have uncovered thousands of illegal cigarettes in a series of raids at local shops.

The specially trained springers, provided by Wagtail UK, sniffed out 17,000 illegal cigarettes and 7.95 kilos of illegal hand-rolling tobacco at three shops in Bury and one in Prestwich – a stash which had been carefully concealed in secret compartments.

Council officers also seized 1,800 illicit vapes, in a haul worth a street value of £33,000.

This enforcement took place under Operation CeCe, a national Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC to tackle illegal tobacco.

Trading standards, licensing officers and Greater Manchester Police in Bury joined forces for this operation. They targeted these shops after receiving reports from the public that tobacco was being sold ‘under the counter’.

Investigations are ongoing, and enforcement officers are reminding retailers that they will take action against those selling illegal tobacco.

Councillor Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture, the economy and skills, said: “I’d like to commend this fantastic work by officers from the council and the police.

“This is just the latest in a series of operations to tackle the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes. We have further action planned and we’ll be bringing these amazing sniffer dogs with us to hunt out these products, no matter how well hidden.

“There’s a high price to pay for these ‘cheap’ purchases. Illegal tobacco is often linked to organised crime, with links to human trafficking, the drugs trade and loan sharks. This brings crime into our communities and exploits vulnerable people.

“It also leads to children getting hooked on a potentially lethal habit, and undermines smokers’ attempts to quit.

“If anyone knows where cheap tobacco is being sold, often as ‘duty free’, please get in touch. We will take action wherever and whenever we find illegal tobacco.”

The Keep it Out campaign, which reveals the true cost of ‘cheap’ illegal tobacco, including links to organised crime and the devastating impact smoking has on people’s health, is being run by the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, in collaboration with Local Authority Trading Standards and enforcement partners in the North. To find out more, visit keep-it-out.co.uk

The sale of illegal tobacco can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at keep-it-out.co.uk.

ENDS

Press release issued: 27 June 2023.