Legal News

Reading Council Trading Standards officers and police officers working with sniffer dogs have seized more than 25,500 illegal and counterfeit cigarettes and 4.5kg of smuggled hand-rolling tobacco in a raid on a local store.

The haul of illegal products was seized during a raid on a grocery shop along the Oxford Road in Reading – the visit was carried out by Trading Standards and Thames Valley Police as part of Operation Henry II.

The shop was suspected of illegally supplying cheap cigarettes to underage students from a nearby college, following a number of complaints from worried parents and a concerned ex-employee.

Illegal tobacco products are cigarettes or hand rolling tobacco that have been smuggled, bootlegged or are counterfeit – it is thought the illegal tobacco trade makes it easier for young people to access to cigarettes and also helps fund organised crime.

Statistics show that people who start smoking before the age of 18 are far more likely to continue to smoke as adults. Research suggests that children who smoke quickly become addicted to nicotine found in tobacco, with signs of addiction becoming evident after just four weeks of taking up smoking.

The sniffer dogs – both Cocker Spaniels – and a handler were provided by Wagtail UK, which supplies trained dogs for the detection of explosives, drugs, cash and tobacco. The dogs helped officers detect the concealed stashes of tobacco at the premises.

Reading Borough Council's Lead Councillor for Consumer Services, Paul Gittings said:

“The detection dogs can find tobacco, even if hidden in the most unlikely places.

“Offenders need to know that they will face the consequences if they choose to deal in these illegal products.

“Those involved in dealing in illegal tobacco are encouraging people – including children – in the local area to smoke, by providing a cheap source of cigarettes and tobacco.

“Hopefully, this raid will make unscrupulous traders think twice about stocking and selling these products, as we will always pursue prosecutions where possible.”

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Spencer, Deputy LPA Commander, said:

“This excellent result is due to the effective partnership working between the Reading neighbourhood policing team and the local council's Trading Standard's team.

“Far from being victimless crime, the trade in illegal tobacco exploits people in a position of vulnerability, often children – and lines the pockets of organised criminals, who profit from causing misery and hardship to others.

“It is a priority for our local policing teams to target all such criminality.

“Anyone involved in similar activities can expect a visit from our teams soon,” he added.

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers can advise at any stage of a public protection offence, including charges relating to selling illegal tobacco or alcohol, defective produce, mislabelling, weights and measures, food hygiene breaches and breaches of health and safety, as well as manufacturing, importing or selling counterfeit goods.

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