Dogs sniff out hidden cigarettes
THOUSANDS of illegal cigarettes which were hidden behind
panels in 2 shops were uncovered by specially trained sniffer dogs.
The search dogs were taking part in an operation, led by Liverpool City
Council's Alcohol and Tobacco Unit, in the Picton area.
Shops were targeted as a result of information received from members of the
public. At 1 newsagent 1.45kg of counterfeit hand rolling tobacco and 6,700
cigarettes; including a mixture of counterfeit and smuggled products; were
seized.
A search dog indicated to officers an area in which confectionary was stored.
Officers were able to slide out a wooden board which revealed an amount of
cigarettes and tobacco. More cigarettes were discovered after the sniffer dog
had indicated an area which looked like it formed part of the shop counter.
In another shop 5,660 cigarettes were discovered by a sniffer dog inside the top
of a refrigerator, which the owner had hollowed out to create space for him to
store his illicit products.
Legal action against the shop owners is being considered.
Councillor Steve Munby, cabinet member for Neighbourhood said:- "Once
again ATU officers have found illicit supplies of tobacco in local shops
These products undermine the hard work and efforts put into place by public
health services to reduce tobacco use and its damaging effects on the health of
the residents of the city.
We encourage anyone who has information about illicit supplies of tobacco to
contact Liverpool Council and report it. As an authority we will continue carry
out proactive enforcement actions against anyone supplying this type of product
and will, when necessary, prosecute those responsible.''
Helen Casstles, Smokefree Coordinator, said:- "I am very pleased that
these cigarettes and tobacco have been seized and will not be sold to the local
community. This is an illegal activity and 1 which encourages people to smoke as
they are cheaper than legal products. This means that young people, in
particular, are more likely to buy them."
