Gloucestershire County Council's Trading Standards team have discovered a large haul of illegal tobacco in a Gloucester shop thanks to a little Scamp.

'Scamp', a crime fighting springer spaniel who helps trading standard teams around the UK, and handler Stuart Phillips of B.W.Y Canine Ltd. joined trading standards officers to carry out an illegal tobacco raid on a shop near Gloucester City Centre.

At the latest raid Scamp found the concealed tobacco within minutes, despite the shop keeper spraying deodorant around the shop in an effort to confuse the dog.

The first concealment was found at the rear of the premises in a store room behind disguised behind a false wall and shelf that was kept shut by controlled electromagnets.

The second find was behind a panel the end of the shop counter held closed by a catch "held" together by false screws.

Altogether around enough tobacco to net the shop around £2,500 was found including brands such as Mayfair, Richmond, Regal, Minsk and Fest.

Cabinet member for trading standards at Gloucestershire County Council Cllr Nigel Moor said: "This demonstrates the degree of sophistication involved in the sale of illegal tobacco.

"The hiding place has taken time and effort to create, suggesting a highly profitable activity.

"Thankfully we had the brilliant team from B.W.Y. on hand to help and 'Scamp' helped us to get a great result.

"Trading standards will continue to prosecute shop owners who sell illegal tobacco from their shops."

Conservative County Councillor for Lansdown Park, Cheltenham Tim Harman said: "Whilst we all know the dangers of smoking, counterfeit tobacco is often made without being subject to quality control and in many cases, the cigarettes do not self-extinguish as legal cigarettes are required to by EU law.

"I would urge smokers to stop supporting criminal activity by buying illegal tobacco and to seek support from the smoking cessation service at www.hlsglos.org ."

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