A sniffer dog has helped Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards team uncover thousands of pounds worth of counterfeit e-cigarettes and tobacco.
Sniffer dog Pippa helped the Trading Standards team and Lancashire Police locate the £18,500 worth of contraband in raids on seven retailers across Preston and Rossendale last week.
The investigation led to the seizure of almost 2,000 packs of illegal cigarettes, chewing and hand-rolling tobacco, plus almost 1,000 vapes.
Cllr Michael Green, cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing at Lancashire County Council said: ‘Our Trading Standards team joined forces with the police to undertake vital community work. I congratulate them and Pippa, the dog, for their excellent results.’