Southwark sniffer dogs have just discovered large quantities of illicit cigarettes in the borough last week, trading standards reports.

Large quantities of #illicitcigarettes found by #snifferdogs in #Southwark today. @lb_southwark Trading Standards. pic.twitter.com/vzOszXEkfm

— B.W.Y CANINE Ltd (@BWYK9) 3 March 2016

This latest find highlights the illegal cigarette problem and the dangers associated with these trades.

Over 114 million cigarettes with a street value of 22 million pounds have been illegally sold over six south London boroughs including Southwark annually. “Keep it Out” is a local campaign established in August 2015, which was launched to keep such dealings out of these boroughs.

Illegal tobacco removes the age restriction as well as price pressures and is commonly linked to groups involved in organised crimes.

“It’s an issue that requires a concerted effort from the ground up, especially when you consider how many children and young people are affected by the illegal products.” said Councillor Barrie Hargrove, Southwark cabinet member for public health.

Trading standards have experience within SE London boroughs of how the practise of selling illegal cigarettes has a high correlation to the selling of fake alcohol and medicines.

These groups can also be linked sometimes to more serious crimes such as people smuggling, prostitution and drug circles.