Search dogs help sniff out £50k worth of illegal tobacco

Skye and Louie sniffed out the contraband

A pair of sniffer dogs have helped uncover £50,000 worth of illegal vapes and tobacco in raids on nine shops.

The dogs - Skye and Louie - helped police, Trading Standards and customs officers on the two-day operation in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

More than 78,000 illegal cigarettes, 11kg (26lbs) of hand-rolling tobacco and 2,578 bogus disposable vapes were seized.

Chris Goodwin, Oldham Council’s cabinet member for public protection, said the authority was committed to cracking down on the sale of illegal smoking products.

The products were seized from nine different shops

Speaking after last week's raids, he added: “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."