Sniffer dogs have nose for trouble

Hounding out illegal activity: Bradley and Buster with handler Hugh Williams and the seized haul of counterfeit or illegal tobacco

A KEEN pair of four-legged crime fighters sniffed out Oldham Trading Standards team’s biggest seizure of illegal tobacco.

Detection dogs Bradley and Buster helped to uncover more than 45,800 cigarettes and 23kg of hand-rolling tobacco with a street value of around £12,000.

The illicit haul was seized from a town-centre property as part of the council’s crackdown on the sale of counterfeit goods in the run up to Christmas.

Officers were able to take action after information was provided by members of the public.

Stashed

With support from the Intellectual Property Office, the Keeping it Real campaign works in partnership with local businesses providing guidance to employers and staff to increase their awareness of what to look out for.

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Cabinet member for housing, planning and transport, said: “Tobacco detection dogs are valued members of our team — but they aren’t that popular with people who think they can get away with selling illegal or counterfeit tobacco.

“These dogs can find tobacco and cigarettes even if they are stashed away and hidden.

Offenders need to knowthey will face prosecution if they choose to deal in these illegal products.

“Providing cheap — but fake or illegal tobacco — may be encouraging people, including children, to smoke.

“At this time of year most people are looking for a bargain and money can be tight but as well as the obvious health risks related to smoking, counterfeit cigarettes have also been found to contain anything from asbestos to rat droppings.”