Sniffer dog 's role in Perth crackdown on illegal cigarettes
dailyrecord.co.ukA top sniffer dog uncovered was involved in finding cigarettes and vapes in shops across the city as part of a crackdown on the illegal tobacco trade in Perth and Kinross.In total, 21,020 illegal and illicit cigarettes, 900g of hand rolling tobacco and 188 illegal vapes were seized at retail premises and vehicles.This amounted to a value of £17,355 with a loss to the treasury in duty of £11,477.A tobacco detector dog named Boo was used to search for contraband tobacco products being offered for sale in Perth city centre premises.Last Tuesday, March 19, Perth and Kinross Council Trading Standards officers led a multi-agency operation involving Police Scotland and Consumer Protection Dogs UK, as part of the national operation.The Perth and Kinross seizures were part of national clampdown - Operation CeCe Scotland – a joint initiative between Scottish Trading Standards services and HM Revenue and Customs.Perth and Kinross housing and wellbeing committee convenor councillor Tom McEwan said: “Smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular and respiratory disease and illegal tobacco is even more dangerous, as they may contain toxins that do not conform to our quality standards.“The trade in illicit and illegal tobacco not only supports criminal gangs but it deprives the Treasury of VAT revenue.“Our officers will continue to work with partners to stop the sale of illegal and illicit tobacco products in our stores.”Consumer Protection Dogs UK and their tobacco detector dog is funded by The Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS).
In May last year Illegal drug products valued at over £2267 were seized from a single retail premises thanks to the help of a tobacco detecting dog.Boo sniffed out the 188
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