Illicit tobacco ‘sniffed out’ by trading standards

Thousands of illicit cigarettes were discovered by trading standards officers following visits to four local shops.

Accompanied by Greater Manchester Police and specially trained tobacco detection dogs, staff visited two premises in Bury and two in Radcliffe. At the Radcliffe stores, they found 12,660 cigarettes and 7kg of hand rolling tobacco which were either counterfeit or duty had not been paid.

The sniffer dogs, two springer spaniels named Bradley and Beck, were paid for by Public Health as part of work being undertaken during the Stoptober campaign.

Angela Lomax, head of trading standards and licensing in Bury, said: “This is just the latest operation we have carried out to stop the sale of illicit tobacco. Buying cheap or smuggled ‘under the counter’ cigarettes isn’t a bargain - it means trading with criminals. It is also damaging the livelihoods of local honest retailers.”

If anyone has information about illicit tobacco sales, they can report it via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 1111.

ENDS

Press release issued: 16 October 2015.

Picture: Sniffer dog Bradley, a springer spaniel provided by Wagtails, with some of the illicit tobacco.