Barnet Council’s trading standards squad, aided by Billy and Ziggy, uncovered the haul on a day of raids at the end of last month

A dog with several large bags of illegal vapes — Springer spaniel Billy sniffs the illegal vapes and tobacco – (Credit – Barnet Council)

Trading standards officers aided by sniffer dogs seized nearly £50,000 worth of illegal vapes and tobacco during a day of raids on Barnet shops last month.

Barnet Council’s trading standards squad, supported by police and springer spaniels Billy and Ziggy, uncovered the haul in a wide range of hiding places within seven stores across the borough on 30th May.

One shop attempted to conceal its illicit goods in a hydraulic lift under the floor, with the remote control operated device containing a series of shelves, packed full of cigarettes.

The total value of goods seized was £47,773 consisting of:

2,016 packets of cigarettes, made up of 40,320 individual cigarettes – worth £29,232.
210 pouches of hand rolling tobacco, weighing in at 10.5kg – worth £9,450.
895 illegal vapes – worth £8,950.
1.2kg of shisha tobacco – worth £50.

Explaining the action, Barnet Council leader Barry Rawlings, said: “Our Trading Standards officers regularly conduct test purchases to ensure Barnet’s shops are trading fairly and not dealing in illegal or counterfeit goods.

“Barnet should be a safe place for everyone and traders should not be making a quick buck at residents’ expense.”

Illegal products seized during the raids – (Credit – Barnet Council)

The council said trading standards officers will be considering a full range of enforcement actions against the businesses it seized products from during the raids. These possible actions include prosecutions and closure orders.

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