Four north shields off-licences raided in counterfeit tobacco crackdown

Tyneside – Sharp-nosed dogs helped to sniff out a hidden stash of illegal tobacco across shops in Tyneside. The animals are trained to locate tobacco in hidden concealments, such as in ceiling areas, behind panels and under floorboards.

Based on intelligence received by the team, searches were carried out at four off-licences in the North Shields area. Inside were dozens of packets of Super King and Mayfair cigarettes as well as hand rolling Turner tobacco. The seized items were a mixture of counterfeit products and those that had no duty paid, officials said. The sale of illegal cigarettes costs the public purse billions each year in unpaid duty, not to mention the obvious health risks associated with smoking which will be felt by young people who these items are regularly sold to.
 

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/four-north-shields-licences-raided-10541043