Joint working between East Ayrshire Trading Standards, Police Scotland and a dog named Boo reaped rewards recently, with the successful seizure of illicit tobacco products from two local businesses, following visits to three premises in Kilmarnock and Stewarton.
The operation was led by the Council’s Trading Standards Team who brought in specialist sniffer dog Boo - a four year old Labrador/German Wirehaired Pointer Cross bitch who already has an extensive track record in sniffing out counterfeit tobacco products thanks to her well educated nose!
Councillor Graham Barton, Cabinet Spokesperson for Trading Standards said:
Thanks to a culmination of intelligence from various sources, including vigilant members of the public, we were able to pinpoint the premises and carried out our visits accompanied by our colleagues in Police Scotland.
“Boo proved her worth as always, quickly finding the products we were after, despite the best efforts of the culprits to conceal the evidence – in one case Boo was able to find them even although they were concealed behind a false panel at the back of a cupboard which contained large quantities of chilli powder in a futile attempt to foil her sense of smell.
“This is another important step in our bid to protect both businesses and public from the hazards presented by this illicit trade. We already know that ordinary tobacco is dangerous enough to health, but fake cigarettes are much more harmful both healthwise and financially.
“They’re typically imported into the UK from Eastern Europe where they’re manufactured in unhygienic factories using all sorts of unknown and potentially poisonous substances and cheap materials. Anyone choosing to smoke them is taking a big risk with their own health.
“The people making and supplying these products use the proceeds to fund further crimes including the smuggling of weapons, drugs, and human beings across the globe.
“In local terms they’re also undercutting genuine businesses, avoiding tax and depriving the Treasury of funds which could be contributing to our health services, schools and infrastrucuture.
“The good news is that thanks to Boo, her handler and our dedicated Trading Standards team, we’ve now seized illicit tobacco eight times over the last 30 months, including the largest ever individual seizure of illicit tobacco by a TS service in Scotland.
“Over this time we have removed 23,573 packets of illicit tobacco from circulation - this equates to a cost of £359,723 to the genuine trade at an approximate cost of £15.26 per pack (this is the cost of an average packet according to Ash Scotland).
“While we can be satisfied that the culprits in this crime have been caught this time and will face punishment, we know that it’s an ongoing issue. And we can’t stress enough how grateful we are to all those whose vigilance and the care they take to report suspicions and supply information are vital to our teams.
“In East Ayrshire we pride ourselves in working together with partner organisations, our businesses and communities to improve wellbeing and prosperity for all, building wealth in the community. The success of this latest mission is proof that this partnership approach works very effectively to improve life and safety for all.”
A paper released by HMRC in March this year called “Stubbing out the Problem” states “HMRC estimates that the illicit market in tobacco duty and related VAT was £2.8 billion in 2021 to 2022.
If you are suspicious of the activities of a business please contact Trading Standards.
