Two sniffer dogs have uncovered £50,000 worth of illegal vapes and tobacco in Oldham, Greater Manchester.
During the two-day raid, the pair - Skye and Louie - worked with Oldham’s Council’s Trading Standards, HM Revenue and Customs and Greater Manchester Police to visit nine premises across the borough.
Oldham Council said that traders who sell illegal products will go to great lengths to conceal their contraband. However, the trained pooches from Wagtails UK Ltd helped sniff out the illegal goods in this operation.
In total more than 78,000 illicit cigarettes, 11kg hand rolling tobacco and 2,578 non-compliant disposable vapes were taken off the streets.
Councillor Chris Goodwin, Cabinet Member responsible for Public Protection, said: “Together with our partners, we continue to take action against traders who sell goods that are unlawful and potentially unsafe. Smoking, the harm it does and the trade in illegal tobacco has sadly been around for years. But over the last few years we’ve seen more and more illegal vapes on our streets.
“Not only do they contain illegal amount of nicotine but they are also being targeted at young people, and that’s not on. It’s also against the law to sell a vape to anyone under 18. We’ll continue to carry on raids and seizures across the borough and if you can help us, please get in touch.”
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