£70k of illegal tobacco seized in Sandwell shop raids

Sandwell council detection dog Ted was used to sniff out the illegal goods across the shops in West Bromwich and Oldbury.

The businesses were targeted on Wednesday throughout the day in illegal tobacco raids - with the crackdown coming as part of the wider Safer 6 campaign.

Councillor Elaine Costigan, cabinet member for public health and protection, has pledged the council will take action against the four shops.

She said: "I wanted to see the team in action to get an idea of the problems they face when dealing with this particular criminal activity and to understand all the work that goes on behind the scenes before the raids are carried out.

"Seeing the sniffer dog find the illegal tobacco was amazing.

"These detection dogs can find tobacco and cigarettes even if it is hidden in the most unlikely places - I have never experienced anything like it

"It was my first raid, it was unbelievable, it was a team effort from the start.

"It's a bigger picture than just going to shops and picking up illegal cigarettes.

"It seems there's a gang of people involved in this - I went to Great Bridge and a shop in Charlemont Farm.

"I absolutely loved it because it's opened my eyes - I can't believe the work that the dog puts in.

"It was a fantastic team effort, it's wonderful to see that we're up to trying to stop this from happening.

"We will be taking action against the shops we found to be selling illegal tobacco and offenders need to know they will face consequences if they choose to deal in these illegal products."

The Safer 6 campaign is a wider annual scheme In Sandwell which looks to improve the borough.

Last month it was reported that the campaign saw more than £15,000 worth of illegal tobacco seized alongside bottles of counterfeit vodka.

Raids were carried out in a joint intelligence-led operation between Sandwell trading standards and West Midlands Police.

The shops were reported as being investigated by trading standards - those found guilty facing criminal prosecution which could result in an unlimited fine and 10 years imprisonment.