Sniffer dogs help uncover £15,000 haul of illegal tobacco in Tameside crackdown

Three specialist sniffer dogs played a key role in uncovering thousands of pounds worth of illegal tobacco and vaping products during a major enforcement operation across Tameside.

Fred, Sky and Dora were deployed on Monday 16 March as part of a joint initiative involving Tameside Council’s trading standards team and Greater Manchester Police.

The operation targeted eight shops in Hyde, Denton and Ashton following intelligence and information provided by local residents suggesting illegal activity.

With the help of the highly trained Wagtail detection dogs, officers were able to locate concealed hiding places within the premises. The searches led to the seizure of a significant quantity of illicit goods, including 703 illegal vapes, 28,405 cigarettes, 14.1kg of hand rolling tobacco, four pouches of shisha tobacco and 22 counterfeit toys.

The total value of the seized items is estimated at £15,000.

Investigations into the businesses involved are ongoing, and appropriate enforcement action will be taken.

Councillor Laura Boyle, Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Environmental Services and Neighbourhoods, praised the collaborative effort behind the operation.

She said: “This operation reflects great teamwork with our partners and local residents to uncover illegal activity that is harming our community and hold those responsible accountable. A special thanks goes to the Wagtail dogs who are our superpower in uncovering premises selling illegal products – there is no hiding from their highly trained detection skills.

“The illegal tobacco trade supports crime rings, damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people. We work closely with businesses to support them to meet their public protection duties and ensure they are compliant, but where they are found to be flouting the law, we will take enforcement action.”

Residents are encouraged to continue reporting concerns about suspected illegal trading activity as part of ongoing efforts to keep communities safe.