Dog helps sniff out illegal vapes and tobacco

A detection dog has helped officers by sniffing out illegal vapes and tobacco being sold at businesses.

The Poole Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) said it visited two businesses in Ashley Road, Poole, on Thursday after receiving intelligence about the products being sold.

The operation was carried out with BCP Trading Standards and HMRC and Border Force, who brought along with Ellie the dog, who has been trained to identify the presence of illegal vapes and tobacco from the "distinct odour they release".

The NPT added it also discovered a customer in one of the shops who was "immediately arrested for failing to appear at court for an outstanding matter".

It posted on social media: "Trading standards officers seized a substantial amount of products including illicit cigarettes, vapes and thousands in cash under their dedicated powers and will continue the investigation and enquires.

"This breakthrough detection capability will significantly aid Trading Standards and other law enforcement agencies in their efforts to crack down on the distribution of illegal vapes and protect the welfare of young people.

"Whilst inexpensive tobacco may seem appealing, it's crucial to understand that you are not buying the brand of cigarette you think."

The NPT went on to say that illegal sales of these types of products can often mean they are "filled with poor quality tobacco and harmful chemicals due to the inadequate environment they have been manufactured in".

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