View Image

More than 19,500 illicit cigarettes and 3.15kg of hand rolling tobacco have been seized by North Lanarkshire Council’s Trading Standards team from eight local businesses. ‌

Investigations are ongoing, with premises facing potential criminal prosecution, licence reviews and additional sanctions, including financial penalties of up to £10,000. ‌

The seizures were made during two separate operations in Airdrie, Wishaw and Motherwell in August and September. ‌

The illicit tobacco products were concealed and stored in purpose-built areas designed to evade detection but were uncovered with the assistance of tobacco detection dogs.

The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the lates

See Full Page