THE trained nose of tobacco sniffer dog, Cooper, helped Trading Standards officers seize holdalls filled with illegal cigarettes from two vehicles in Grimsby.
Humberside Police also attended a number of raids by Trading Standards officers from North East Lincolnshire Council, on four shops on Freeman Street and Hainton Avenue in Grimsby earlier today. The dog was brought by its handler from Wales and is widely regarded as the best in the country in searching out these illegal products.
The goods were discovered in two vehicles which were parked adjacent to some of the premises which were being searched. They were then bagged up securely and removed. Investigations are now taking place as to further action that can be taken with regards to the shop’s long-term operation.
Officers are reviewing the evidence gathered during the operation and considering the full range of enforcement options available in relation to the premises, in line with national legislation.
Council Leader, Cllr Oliver Freeston, was at the raid. It took place just a few weeks after he held an emergency summit on the growing problem of illegal sales – especially sales of the dangerous vapes to young people.
“These illegal sales are damaging our communities here, as they are right across the country. We must do everything within our power to stop them and ensure appropriate enforcement action is taken where the evidence supports it.
“As we do so, we must work together, locally and nationally, to stop this. I welcome the work carried out by our MP and others to bring about stricter legislation, but it needs to go much further and stronger, the proposed changes do not go far enough.”
“Young people particularly, are seriously risking their health, and it is known that other criminal activity and anti-social behaviour is linked to illegal sales,” he added.
The legitimate value and street value of the tobacco products seized today will be confirmed at a later date.
By law, vapes should have an internal tank capacity of no more than 2ml, and the level of nicotine contained in the vaping fluid should not exceed 20mg/ml (or 2 per cent). Additionally, since June 1 2025, vapes must be refillable, rechargeable and the coil, which heats the liquid to produce the vapour, must also be easily replaceable by the user.
Failure to comply with any one of those requirements would mean the vape is illegal under The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations. On this occasion no illicit vapes were found.
As with tobacco products, these items are required to display certain health warnings and every such device, and the liquid it contains, should be registered with the MHRA (Medicines and Health care products Regulatory Agency) prior to being released onto the market.
To report the sale of illicit tobacco products, email [email protected] or call (01472) 326299, option 3. For more information on how to quit smoking, visit https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/health-wellbeing-and-social-care/health-and-wellbeing/stop-smoking.
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