Officers from our Hull Neighbourhood teams carried out a joint operation with Trading Standards and Canine Tobacco Dogs Griff the Springer, and Cooper the labrador, last week.

Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Andy Waller said: “Eight premise inspections were conducted at shops on Endike Lane, Beverley Road, Marfleet Lane, Spring Bank, and Gipsyville in Hull, as well as a container on Freightliner Road. Thousands of pounds worth of illegal tobacco and vapes were seized thanks to the expert nose of tobacco dogs Griff and Cooper sniffing them out, even when some were concealed within the premises.

“Illegal items recovered include 44,840 cigarettes worth an estimated retail price of over £37,200, 358 pouches of rolling tobacco worth an estimated retail price of £15,000, and 3,301 vapes worth an estimated retail price of over £33,000.

“Any counterfeit products, including vapes, can be very dangerous as they are not subject to the rigorous safety standards imposed on goods sold legally. 

“Not only is there a real health risk to individuals who smoke counterfeit products, the sale of these products funds more serious crime including human trafficking, child sexual and criminal exploitation, and other organised cross-border criminality in our area.

“This is an example of great partnership working with some fantastic results and significant disruption across our force area. Work like this is important because it gets illegal products off the streets and out of our communities.

“We would continue to encourage anyone with information or concerns about counterfeit tobacco and vapes within your community, to please contact us via our non-emergency number 101, or by speaking to our officers when you see them out and about.

“You can also report anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”