Specialist outside help brought in to uncover hidden spots in offending Preston shops

Thousands of illegal vapes and cigarettes were seized with the assistance of specialist hired help.

Sky the sniffer dog, a working cocker spaniel from Wagtail UK brought in by Lancashire County Council’s trading standards team, was brought in due to her training in sniffing out hidden compartments.

Seven Preston city centre premises were caught thanks to her skills with one even having tobacco hidden behind a false wall.

Stashes of cannabis, together with illegal prescription drugs and antibiotics were also seized. Hiding places included hidden compartments and in backyards, while one trader threw suitcases full of tobacco on the roof to try to evade detection.

A total of 1,642 packs of illegal tobacco and 651 non compliant vapes were seized during the operation on 25 October with five of the businesses in the New Hall Lane and Friargate areas.

Joint investigations by Lancashire County Council, HM Revenue & Customs and Lancashire Constabulary are now ongoing.

Michael Green, cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing at Lancashire County Council said: “Our Trading Standards team go above and beyond in their pursuit of illegal vapes and cigarettes, with unbelievable outcomes.

“Hiring sniffer dog Sky, who did a very thorough job, was a fantastic way of protecting residents from unsafe goods from unscrupulous traders. With the help of partners such as Wagtail UK, HMRC and the police, we can tackle rogue traders and find hidden illicit goods.

“Preventing the sale of illicit goods protects public health and keeps children safe from underage sales. Our Trading Standards team will continue to keep seizing illicit tobacco and non-compliant vapes and we encourage anyone to report shops that flout the law.

“Anyone who knows of retailers selling counterfeit goods, selling tobacco or e–cigarettes to young people under 18, or selling over-size or counterfeit vapes, can refer these issues to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice helpline on 0808 223 1133.”

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