Illegal tobacco was discovered in a shop during a joint operation by North Tyneside Council’s Trading Standards team and Northumbria Police.
Six general dealer stores in the Wallsend, Whitley Bay and North Shields areas were searched on Thursday, February 14.
Two Working Cocker Spaniels, Scamp and Yo Yo, which can detect counterfeit or illegal tobacco, were used in the initiative.
In a North Shields store, the shopkeeper was found wearing a coat containing four packets of cigarettes that are suspected to be counterfeit and two pouches of hand-rolling tobacco suspected of being non-duty paid.
The Trading Standards service, which is delivered for the council by Capita, is now conducting an investigation following the seizures. No offences were discovered in the five other premises.
Cllr Carole Burdis, cabinet member for Community Safety and Engagement, said: “The sale of illegal tobacco is not a victimless crime.
“It puts businesses that are trading legitimately at a disadvantage and can also create a cheap source of tobacco for young people, putting their health at risk into adulthood.
“I welcome this operation by our Trading Standards team and Northumbria Police - it demonstrates that we take action when criminal activities are suspected.”
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Notes to editors:
Capita Local Public Services, part of Capita plc, is dedicated to making processes smarter, organisations more efficient and customer experiences better across the local government, health and education sector in the UK. We unlock value for our clients by applying talent and technology. Responsible for operating all of Capita’s major local, public sector partnerships, we deliver a wide range of specialist services including IT and digital transformation, customer management, revenues, benefits, finance, infrastructure support and regulatory services, education support and back office processing.
Capita Local Public Services can also draw on specialist capabilities, such as HR, payroll and procurement from across the wider Capita group, to ensure the very best market knowledge and outcomes are achieved.
In November 2012 Capita entered into a partnership with North Tyneside Council to deliver a range of technical services: engineering; property; planning; building control and public protection.
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