Tobacco sniffer dogs uncover £8,000 worth of illegal cigarettes and tobacco in East Renfrewshire shops

Thousands of illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco have been uncovered by sniffer dogs at two shops in East Renfrewshire.

Tobacco detection dogs, Rosie and Boo, helped officers from Police Scotland and the council’s Trading Standards seize around 4,400 illegal cigarettes and 6.5kg of tobacco with a retail value of approximately £8,000.

Springer Spaniel Rosie and Boo, a German Wirehaired Pointer Labrador, are both specifically trained to find nicotine products that aren’t visible during a routine inspection.

Councillor Danny Devlin, convener for environment and housing said: “This is a great example of partnership working between the Council, Police Scotland and Consumer Protection Dogs UK.

“The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law.

“Trading Standards and Police Scotland’s work is playing a significant role in disrupting this unlawful trade and is helping to take illegitimate tobacco products off of our local streets.”

Community sergeant Eddie White added: “Police Scotland recognise the risks posed to members of the community from the trade in illegal tobacco and will continue to work alongside East Renfrewshire Trading Standards in our efforts to keep people safe and healthy within their local community.”

Illegal cigarettes and tobacco pose a significant risk to public health and safety as they are unregulated and contain higher levels of harmful chemicals than those that are legally sold.

Residents are urged to look out for unusual packaging that does not contain typical health warnings, spelling mistakes, discoloured packaging, or modified logos.

Anyone who suspects a shop is selling any counterfeit goods should report it to Trading Standards by phoning 0141 577 8487 or emailing tradingstandards@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk.