Fake fags sniffed out in trading standards raid

Police and trading standards seized tobacco and counterfeit goods in raids on premises across the borough.

Acting on tip-offs, they visited seven premises and used a sniffer dog from Wagtail UK to help them.

In total they seized 2.2kg of hand-rolling tobacco, 2,281 cigarettes, and 15 blunts, some of which are counterfeit, some are non-duty paid and some of which are labelled incorrectly. 

Officers also seized eight counterfeit pairs of boots, three pairs of headphones, five sets of speakers, one jacket, three perfumes, three handbags, two pairs of gloves, one make-up set and a watch, with a total street value of approximately £6,000.

The raids were carried out at a vacant premises, a launderette and an off-licence in Bury North; bargain stores in Whitefield and Radcliffe; a general store in Radcliffe; and a pub in Prestwich.

A Bury Council spokesman said: “Everyone wants a bargain in the run-up to Christmas, but buying dodgy gear only helps to fund criminals and could actually be dangerous. The message is simple – if it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 23 December 2013.