Sniffer dog Griff has helped uncover thousands of illicit cigarettes and vapes from hidden compartments in Grimsby shops. The canine detective and his handler Stuart Phillips were part of a team from North East Lincolnshire Council Trading Standards and Humberside Police who led an operation to search a number of retailers in the East Marsh area of the town.
Officers had an initial conversation with those running the businesses before Stuart and Griff searched the properties. In one shop, Griff indicated something was hidden at the back of the property and two electromagnetic loft hatches were subsequently discovered, under which there were hundreds of illegal vapes and tobacco products.
Having moved outside, Griff led officers to a nearby building where more illegal vapes were stashed between machinery. A significant number of products were seized.
Cllr Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “Keeping these products, that do not meet safety standards and are putting lives at risk, off the streets is our main priority. We know illicit and fake cigarettes do not comply with the Reduced Ignition Propensity requirements and won’t self-extinguish, so are likely to start a fire.
“When you buy these products, you could be putting your own health at risk. Not only has no duty been paid on them but they’ve not been tested to ensure they’re safe.”
Wednesday’s operation was part of efforts to clamp down on the illegal trade of tobacco products in the borough, and tell people about the potential impact on their health. The products were seized with Cllr Shepherd adding: “This was an amazing find and we’re thankful to all the teams involved for stopping these from being sold. This joint operation shows just how important it is to work together.”
Officers conducted two further searches, revealing another hidden compartment. In one shop, a wall panel had been replaced to create a make shift hatch which was used to conceal illegal products.
Cllr Stan Shreeve, portfolio holder for Heath, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, said: “I urge smokers in our region to use the support services on offer to help them to quit smoking. We have so many examples of people turning their lives around completely after quitting smoking with support from the Wellbeing Team, and you only have to look at the figures released today to see what a positive impact that could have for everyone.
“It’s never too late to stop smoking, and with professional help and stop smoking medication, people are three times more likely to quit for good.”
Alasdair Booth, chief inspector of Humberside Police, said: “On Wednesday, July 23, officers from the Grimsby East Neighbourhood Policing Team supported North East Lincolnshire Trading Standards with an operation which targeted vape shops suspected to be involved in criminality by selling illicit vapes, tobacco and counterfeit goods. The trading of illicit and counterfeit goods not only affects genuine businesses who trade within the law, the counterfeit and illicit goods also pose a serious risk to the public’s health, and Humberside Police is committed to working with Trading Standards to disrupt the supply of illegal goods and organised crime in the Humberside Police area.
“This operation was in direct response to concerns raised by the local community connected to some of the businesses that were targeted during the joint operation, and as a result, a significant amount of suspected illegal goods have been seized. As part of our Safer Streets Summer, you can expect to see our neighbourhood policing teams continue working with local authorities to tackle crime in areas across the region.”
The law says vapes should have an internal tank capacity of no more than 2ml while the level of nicotine in the vaping fluid should not be more than 20mg per mil, or 2%. Like tobacco products, they are required to display health warnings and every vaping device and liquid should be registered with the MHRA (Medicines and Health care products Regulatory Agency) before it is released to the market.
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