Illegal cigs and alcohol uncovered in raids on seven premises

Cigarettes and Tobacco found underneath display stands

Iillicit cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol, with a street value of approximately £18,000, have been uncovered in raids across the borough.

Seven premises in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale were raided last week and three detection dogs – Ozzie, Murphy and Bertie – sniffed out 43,000 cigarettes, 15kg of tobacco and 63 bottles of illicit alcohol.

The dogs helped officers to discover stashed product in false panels within serving counters and behind kickboards in display stands.

Cabinet Member Jacqui Beswick, said “Those involved in dealing in illegal tobacco may be encouraging people, including children to smoke by providing a cheap source. The detection dogs can find tobacco and cigarettes even if hidden in the most unlikely places. Offenders need to know that they will face consequences if they choose to deal in these illegal products.”

The raids were conducted as a result of information provided by the public and included visits in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale. The council’s Trading Standards Team seized both counterfeit and non-duty paid products - which cannot be legally sold in the UK - as part of Operation Henry.

The operation, which runs from April through September 2014, cracks down on the supply of illicit tobacco across nine regions in England. Each region receives eight days of dog detection provided by Wagtail UK, funded by the Department of Health. The operation, managed by TSI, allows trading standards officers to identify illicit tobacco 'hot spots' by using combined intelligence.

Leon Livermore, chief executive of TSI, said: "This partnership is one more example of how trading standards works with the private and public sector to protect consumers and support legal business practices. Through this partnership, trading standards has a unique opportunity to share information and develop intelligence with the aim of taking illicit tobacco off the streets."