Boo bags biggest illegal cigarette haul in Scotland!

The investigation focused on three premises within Kilmarnock and, thanks to Boo’s special skill set, 447,000 illegal cigarettes were recovered with a conservative value of £134,000.

Three year old Boo, who is a Labrador/ German Wirehaired Pointer cross, is funded by the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS), a body that represents all 32 local authority trading standards service.

David Mitchell, Chief Governance Officer said: “As with all successful projects, partnership working has been key to this investigation. The Trading Standard Service has taken, an incredible, 447,000 illegal cigarettes off our streets, which is the largest seizure in Scotland to date.

“The cigarettes are illegal for a number of reasons, including no duty being paid on them, trademark issues and also the origin of some of the cigarettes is unknown, which means that they could contain extremely harmful substances.

“Boo, and her handler, were an integral part of the team and the investigation. In one of the premises, she indicated from ground level to an enclosed space at roof level. Our Trading Standards officers had to access the space with ladders and found 415,000 cigarettes, in just one of the premises alone.

“The Trading Standards Service has delivered an incredible result with Police Scotland and Boo and her handler. The whole team should be proud of this achievement and for their work to protect local consumers.”

East Ayrshire Locality Inspector, Iain Farmer said: “Police work alongside partners daily, this collaboration highlights the positive relationship we have with East Ayrshire Council, Trading Standards Department. Police will continue to provide multi-agency support and we would encourage anyone with information about suspicious activity to contact Police Scotland on 101.”