A sniffer dog helped to discover thousands of illicit cigarettes in Watford shops during the first week of June.
Safety trading regulator company, Trading Standards, brought in the canine as part of a Hertfordshire operation that was established to expose the selling of illegal tobacco.
In Watford, newly trained Fred uncovered 6,390 prohibited cigarettes in one shop, plus 1,400 more and 0.2kg of hand-rolling tobacco in another.
Cllr Ajanta Hilton, who is responsible for public health at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “This is exactly the kind of result we want to see.
“Criminals are going to extraordinary lengths to hide illegal tobacco, but thanks to detection dogs and the dedication of our officers, they’re being exposed.
“If you’re selling illicit goods in Hertfordshire, we will find you and take action.”
County retailers have been caught concealing the unlawful products inside false walls, bins and concealed shelves.
Operation CeCe visited stores in Watford, Hatfield, Borehamwood, Potters Bar, and Bishop’s Stortford, with 31,000 illicit cigarettes and 3.35kg of hand-rolling tobacco seized thanks to Fred.
Police have not revealed the identity of shops that were raided but described them as “retail”.
Feature image: Hertfordshire County Council
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