Illegal tobacco seized from Bolton shops

Police have seized illegal tobacco from three different Bolton shops with the help of sniffer dogs.

As per local reports, the Neighbourhood Team from Greater Manchester Police Bolton South conducted a joint operation with Trading Standards and Wagtail UK ltd where they searched the shops and ultimately seized the contraband goods.

None of the shops raided by police have been named.

A spokesperson for GMP Bolton South said, “We acted on intelligence that was received and visited three shops. Following a thorough search, illegal tobacco and cigarettes were found and seized from the premises.”

Wagtail UK ltd are a specialist in detection dogs and dog handler training, and Trading Standards exist to ‘promote and protect the success of a modern vibrant economy, and safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of citizens by enhancing the professionalism of its members’, reports said.

These latest raids follow another series of cases in Bolton. Officers searched several premises on St Helen’s Road in Deane as part of a joint operation with Bolton council and Trading Standards last week.

Illegal tobacco was found and seized from two shops. A knife was also found in nearby wasteland.

Less than 24 hours later, cops revisited one of the shops and discovered more illegal tobacco and nitrous oxide gas canisters. The items were seized along with a car.