AN ILLICIT tobacco operation has uncovered £12,000 worth of tobacco and 20,000 cigarettes following seizures at three Scarborough shops.

The tobacco was found by a specialist detection dog which located cigarettes and tobacco concealed in a wall cavity that would not have otherwise been discovered during the raids.

Read more: Farmer talks of losing hundreds after being forced to use generator after Storm Arwen

Illicit tobacco is cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco that has been smuggled into Britain without tax having been paid.

North Yorkshire County Council say it is cheaper than genuine tobacco and cigarettes, which makes it more accessible to smokers and therefore makes quitting more difficult or smokers.

Reportedly there is also evidence to suggest illicit tobacco supply funds organised crime.

The intelligence led operation looked to tackle illicit tobacco supply across the Scarborough area using specialist tobacco detection dogs, which can find concealed tobacco and cigarettes.

As well as having stock confiscated, offenders could also face unlimited fines and up to ten years in prison if found in possession for supply.

North Yorkshire  County Councillor Derek Bastiman, executive member for trading standards, said: “The supply of illicit tobacco will not be tolerated. We will continue to adopt a zero tolerance approach to these matters and use every enforcement technique at our disposal to disrupt this activity.”

Read more: Experienced and highly skilled NHS staff being driven out of jobs after abuse

The local authority say The County Council Tobacco Control Strategy encourages communities to reshape social norms so that tobacco becomes less desirable, less acceptable and less accessible.

Louise Wallace, director of public health for North Yorkshire, said: “All tobacco is harmful, but the illegal tobacco market and in particular the availability of cheap cigarettes make it harder for smokers to quit and remain smoke-free. For those who want to quit, there is help available.”

-----

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated North Yorkshire Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054