Sniffer dog Boo has a real nose for the job in crackdown on illegal sale of vapes and tobacco
Stacks of cash believed to be linked to criminality and more than 700 illegal items have been seized as part of a crime crackdown in Sunderland.
Officers from Northumbria’s Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) teamed up with the council’s Trading Standards team, the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) and Immigration Enforcement to visit premises across the city in a bid to crack down on businesses flouting the law when it comes to selling illegal and counterfeit products.
The seizures were part of Operation CeCe, a joint campaign between National Trading Standards (NTS) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to tackle and prevent the sale of illegal tobacco.
Star of the day was sniffer dog Boo who helped to sniff out 593 illegal cigarettes, 121 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco and 77 illegal vapes.
More than £1,300 worth of cash, linked to suspected criminality, was seized along with one wristwatch – believed to be counterfeit.
Inspector Graham Cox, of Sunderland’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We know how concerning the sale of illegal products is to local residents, that’s why we tactfully plan these days of action with the intention of putting an end to it.
“This type of criminality is often linked to much wider offending and organised crime groups.
“So please work with us – if you’re aware of suspicious activity, or illegal produce being sold in your local area – tell us.
“That way we can take action and target the premises who are disrupting our communities.”
He added: “Thank you to the partners who help to make these days a success.
“The results shown and intelligence gathered today, really represents just how crucial partnership working is in our neighbourhoods.”
Councillor Kelly Chequer, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities at Sunderland City Council, added: “Seizures such as these play an important role in our ongoing work with Northumbria Police and other agencies, to drive illegal tobacco and other prohibited goods out of Sunderland.
“While smokers may think they’re getting a bargain, very often illegal tobacco has links to organised crime, the drugs trade and human trafficking, not to mention loan sharks.
“It’s also highly likely to have been smuggled into the country and could be fake.
“I would urge anyone who comes across the sale of illegal tobacco and any other prohibited products to report it.”
Selling illegal tobacco can result in fines of up to £10,000 for businesses and individuals, the seizure and destruction of tobacco products and in some cases, prosecution.
Anyone with information about suspected criminality in their local area can get in touch with Northumbria Police by sending a direct message on social media, or by using the live chat or ‘report’ function on the their website.
You can also call 101.
The illegal sale of tobacco can also be reported via the City Council’s website.