NEWCASTLE: Sniffer dogs Yo Yo and Scamp helped officers from Newcastle’s trading standards team search five properties across the city – uncovering 30,000 illegal cigarettes, illegal tobacco, and more than 400 bottles of whisky and vodka.
The bounty with a street value of £15,000 were uncovered by the specially trained sniffer dogs.
The alcohol is being tested to see if there is any substance unfit for human consumption after previous seizures were found to contain ethanol which can cause blindness.
Councillor Nick Kemp, Newcastle’s cabinet member for regulation, said: “I would like to congratulate the team of officers, and our canine friends Scamp and Yo Yo who uncovered this huge quantity of illegal goods.
BWY Canine LtdScamp, left, and Yo Yo, specially trained dogs which help to track down illegal tobaccoScamp, left, and Yo Yo, specially trained dogs which help to track down illegal tobacco
“There’s no doubt in my mind that the whisky would have been bought as gifts in the run up to Christmas.
“Not only is there no duty paid on it but we really don’t know what’s in it so it could be harmful for human consumption which is worrying.
“All tobacco – illegal or legal is harmful – so we are delighted that we have seized such a large quantity in one operation. It is testimony to the professionalism of our staff and our partners such as Northumbria Police and of course the public whose tip-offs are often the start of these raids.”
The raid is the latest in a series in which sniffer dogs are let loose in shop premises. In all, ten premises were visited on Tuesday and Wednesday.
A total of 430 bottles of suspected illicit whisky and vodka and 14,000 cigarettes were seized from two shops in the West End along with a further 800 cigarettes from a city centre takeaway.
Illegal spirits seized by Newcastle trading standards teamIllegal spirits seized by Newcastle trading standards team
On Wednesday a further five premises were visited, and 12,000 cigarettes were seized from premises in the West End and 4,000 from premises in East End.
One stash of cigarettes were found hidden behind a false wall in a toilet block and another in an outhouse.
All matters are now under criminal investigation.
Chief Inspector Steve Hails, of Northumbria Police, said: “Partnership operations like this are essential in keeping Newcastle a safe and enjoyable place to live and visit.
“Thanks to the information from the public and the hard work of the Trading Standards Team, police officers and Scamp and Yoyo then a large number of illicit cigarettes and alcohol have been taken off the streets.
Councillor Nick Kemp with the massive horde of illegal tobacco and spirits seizedCouncillor Nick Kemp with the massive horde of illegal tobacco and spirits seized
“I would urge anyone considering buying products like this to think again, they can never be sure exactly what they are buying and are supporting criminal activity.”
The latest haul is the biggest ever seized in one operation by Newcastle Trading Standards team – the last one in September netting 18,000 cigarettes.
