Paw Patrol to the rescue: Darlington police, with the help of police dogs, seize large quantities of

Earlier this week, police dogs and officers conducted a raid on a mini-market in Darlington, seizing 500 illegal e-cigarettes, 1,269 packs of cigarettes, and 250 packs of rolling tobacco.

The trade standards officers and municipal enforcement personnel from Darlington City Council assisted the police in the joint operation.

In the mini-market on Gladstone Street, the Corporation mini-market on Corporation Road, Daianca, Parkgate mini-market, and North Road, cigarettes and illegal e-cigarettes suspected of being counterfeit brands were seized. The operation also discovered two vehicles used as warehouses for illegal goods.

These businesses were found to be using complex hidden methods to store illegal cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

Without the help of police dogs Griff, Bran, and Cooper from BWY Canine, some of these may have been difficult to find.

Shaun Trevor, who is responsible for the trade standards team action at the city council, said: "If you sell illegal e-cigarettes or cigarettes, especially to children, then expect our visit."

"We plan further actions to stop the circulation of these illegal products in Darlington and will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to this illegal trade."