THE council has unveiled its newest weapon in the battle to sniff out the illegal tobacco trade in Clydebank – Dixie the dog.

The spaniel and handler Bobbie Cranie joined officers from Police Scotland and West Dunbartonshire Council’s Trading Standards team last week when a number of premises across Clydebank and West Dunbartonshire – where illicit cigarettes and tobacco was seized from one shop.

The operation was carried out after tip-offs were received and the team is now urging residents not to risk buying illicit cigarettes or tobacco as those caught with the product could face fines or imprisonment.

Tony Cairns, Trading Standards team leader, said: “Traders who sell illicit tobacco will often conceal it from view and, on this occasion the seized products were hidden in a storeroom.

“They were not labelled in accordance with health warning and tax duty laws and further checks will now be carried out to establish what additional harmful substances they might contain.”

Anyone with any information about illicit tobacco, underage tobacco sales or any other form of illicit trading can report it via the council website or by calling the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 040506.