Two search dogs helped sniff out thousands of pounds worth of illegal tobacco in raids in Fenland.
Wagtail dogs, Bertie and Beck, helped recover 56,000 cigarettes and 76kg of hand rolling tobacco believed to be counterfeit and non-duty paid from four shops in March and Wisbech on February 9.
Estimates suggest the haul, which was taken from four shops, had a street value of £8,000 and a loss in taxes to HMRC of around £17,000.
The operation, led by Cambridgeshire County Council Trading Standards with assistance from Cambridgeshire Constabulary and HMRC, unconvered the haul, which was so well hidden it could only have been discovered with the help of the dogs.
Aileen Andrews, service manager for Cambridgeshire County Council Trading Standards said “Offenders need to know that they will face consequences if they choose to supply illicit tobacco to our communities.
“Trading Standards welcome all information from the public about illicit sales of tobacco, particularly to children.”
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