Over 23,000 illegal cigarettes seized in two raids by Cambridgeshire Trading Standards and police

More than 23,000 illegal cigarettes and over a kilo of illicit tobacco has been seized by Cambridgeshire Trading Standards officers and police.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Mar 2017, 14:36 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 11:03 BST
One of the sniffer dogs with just some of the illegal cigarettes found in WisbechOne of the sniffer dogs with just some of the illegal cigarettes found in Wisbech
One of the sniffer dogs with just some of the illegal cigarettes found in Wisbech

Cambridgeshire Trading Standards officers used tobacco detection dogs from Wagtail and support from Cambridgeshire Police to carry out the operation at two premises in Wisbech yesterday afternoon, Wednesday March 22.

Over 23,000 illegal cigarettes and 1.6kg of tobacco were found to be hidden away in both premises but were sniffed out by the specially trained dogs.

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No arrests have yet been made and the investigation is ongoing.

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Cambridgeshire County Council’s Public Health Consultant, Val Thomas said: “We work very closely with our Trading Standards officers and are pleased their diligent action has resulted in this illegal tobacco being withdrawn.

“We know that traders in illicit tobacco target the poorest communities and vulnerable young people with cheap affordable tobacco.

“It can encourage the uptake of smoking and does not support those who are trying to quit.

“This work by Trading Standards plays an important role in helping to prevent smoking and reduce the risks for smokers of heart disease, stroke and cancer. “