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| Didn't he do well! One of the dogs that sniffed out the illicit (and unsafe) baccy products |
A POLICE swoop has resulted in a huge quantity of illicit cigarettes, tobacco and vapes being seized from five business premises in North East Lincolnshire.
The locations have not yet been identified but four were in Grimsby (including three in Freeman Street) and one in Cleethorpes.
Also involved in the operation were trading standards officers from North East Lincolnshire Council and a privately-run search dog unit, B.W.Y Canine Ltd.
In total, 172,000 cigarettes (8,600 packs), 79.25kg of tobacco (1,585 pouches), 1.15kg of Shisha, and 1,662 illegal disposable vapes were seized during the operation.
Says a council spokesperson: "An estimated value for the cigarettes and tobacco would be a street value of £60,435 and a legitimate value of £149,552.
"The legitimate value of the vapes would be £18,282."
Officers will review their findings and follow-up with enforcement action in the courts if appropriate.
Comments Cllr Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities: "Illicit and fake cigarettes do not comply with the Reduced Ignition Propensity requirements and won’t self-extinguish.
"As a result, they could start fires."
He continues: "When people buy these products, they are putting their health at increased risk."
Insp Matt Stringer, Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for Grimsby East, comments: "This operation demonstrates the importance of different agencies working together in order to make our communities safer."
News elsewhere:
https://www.theguardian.com/international
https://morningstaronline.co.uk
https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk
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