Illegal tobacco seizure in Shotton

A joint operation between Flintshire Trading Standards and North Wales Police has resulted in a seizure of illicit tobacco and alcohol.

Cigarettes hidden in the computer tower

Approximately 25,000 cigarettes plus hand rolling tobacco were seized from stores in Shotton and Mold

Investigations into the source of the cigarettes are ongoing.

The operation was supported by specialist tobacco sniffer dogs who located the tobacco that had been hidden away in a computer tower and behind false panelling under a shop counter.

Councillor Kevin Jones, Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Protection said: 

“This is an excellent example of partnership working between enforcement agencies. The sale of cheap illicit tobacco makes it easier for new smokers to get addicted and makes it harder for smokers who want to give up, break the habit. Far from being a victimless crime the trade in illicit tobacco has serious consequences for crime and health in the community and causes economic detriment to legitimate local businesses.”

Anyone wanting to report sales of illicit tobacco can do so to Trading Standards on 08454 040506. Illicit tobacco products are cigarettes or hand rolling tobacco that have been smuggled, bootlegged or are counterfeit and are not subject to any controls over their composition.

Once again Flintshire based Wagtail UK provided highly trained tobacco detection dogs to search for tobacco.

Wagtail have over 80 days of tobacco/cash searches booked in the next 6 months #HMRC #TradingStandards #usethebest pic.twitter.com/L5PvRMUjbY

— Wagtail UK (@WagtailUK_dogs) May 5, 2014