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The operation formed part of Operation Avro, a region-wide initiative led by Greater Manchester Police to disrupt crime and increase public reassurance.
Teams from Bury Council, alongside police, Home Office partners and specialist detection units, carried out targeted visits to seven premises on 16 April.
During the day of action, officers seized a substantial haul of illicit goods, including:
- 627 packets of illegal cigarettes (12,540 individual sticks)
- 95 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco (totalling 4.75kg)
- 232 unregulated vapes
- 6 packs of shisha products
The total estimated street value of the seized items is around £15,000.
Sophisticated Concealment Methods Exposed
Investigators uncovered increasingly elaborate techniques used to hide illegal stock. Products were discovered concealed behind false walls, within pipe systems, inside doors and custom-built compartments, as well as disguised in everyday packaging such as drink cartons.
Officials say these tactics point to a highly organised and deliberate black-market operation rather than low-level opportunism.
Detection Dogs Prove Decisive
Specialist Wagtail detection dogs played a key role in the raids, helping officers locate hidden tobacco and vape products that would have been difficult to find through manual searches alone.
Their deployment significantly increased the effectiveness of the operation, particularly in premises where concealment methods were more advanced.
Wider Checks Across the Borough
Alongside the raids, licensing teams conducted 16 roadside compliance checks on licensed vehicles, while environmental enforcement officers carried out additional inspections on commercial waste carriers.
Authorities say these parallel checks are designed to address a broader range of regulatory breaches and ensure businesses are operating within the law.
Protecting Communities an dLegitimate Trade
Operation Avro is aimed not only at removing illegal goods from circulation but also at safeguarding public health and protecting legitimate retailers from unfair competition.
The illicit tobacco and vape trade has been linked to wider organised crime networks and poses particular risks to young people due to the lack of regulation and safety controls.
Investigations Ongoing
Follow-up inquiries are now under way, with officials analysing the seized goods and sharing intelligence through national databases to identify supply chains and potential links to larger criminal groups.
Enforcement partners say further action is expected as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the networks behind the illegal trade.
