Glasgow sniffer dog tracks down 9,000 'knock-off' cigarettes in city crackdown

Thousands of pounds worth of illegal cigarettes and tobacco were seized in a council swoop on shops in Glasgow.

Glasgow City Council carried out the raids with the help of Boo, a specially-trained tobacco sniffer dog, alongside police officers, HMRC and a team from Trading Standards.

The unit tracked down 9,000 illegal cigarettes and 3.5kg of hand rolling tobacco after carrying out unannounced inspections of four premises across the city earlier this week.

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The unit tracked down 9,000 illegal cigarettes and 3.5kg of hand rolling tobacco (Glasgow City Council)

Counterfeit cigarettes and non-duty paid/smuggled cigarettes have been found to contain higher levels of toxic components such as tar and nicotine which can put lives at risk.

Staff and management at the four premises could now be subject to a criminal investigation.

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Glasgow City Council tweeted: "Boo the Detection Dog sniffed out counterfeit tobacco in 4 city shops during a joint operation by our Trading Standards team, PoliceScotland , HMRC & @socotss. Boo uncovered 9000 illicit cigarettes and 3.5kg of hand rolling tobacco. Good dog!"