Specialist search dogs sniff out illegal goods haul

Highly trained search dogs working with Carmarthenshire County Council’s Trading Standards team have sniffed out a haul of counterfeit tobacco, alcohol and electronics worth over £8,000.

Working in the Llanelli and Ammanford areas over two days, Phoebe and Scamp, sniffer dogs working for B.W.Y. Canine, found a range of illegal cigarettes, vodka and whiskey being sold in local shops, pubs and clubs, as well as some hidden in domestic premises.

The specially trained spaniels also helped Trading Standards officers uncover fake Beats by Dre speakers.

Action is now being taken against the retailers and licensees caught out by the exercise.

It is the first time Carmarthenshire’s Trading Standards team have engaged the use of the Pembrokeshire-based sniffer dog team, but Phoebe and Scamp will become regular visitors in the future, as part of its routine inspections regime to keep the public safe from illegal and counterfeit goods, particularly those that could pose significant health risks.

Roger Edmunds, Trading Standards Manager, said: “We visited a range of premises and had a very positive response – both in terms of the counterfeit goods we seized after they were detected by the dogs, and in terms of showing our proactive efforts to crack down on unscrupulous sellers in the area.”

The dogs are trained to detect a range of substances and using their powerful sense of smell, can sniff out anything from illegal tobacco to drugs and even bombs.

Cllr Jim Jones, Executive Board Member for Public Protection, said: “It was great to see Phoebe and Scamp at work, and we are very grateful for their help in uncovering illegal and counterfeit goods which we have now seized.”

Are you aware of illegal or counterfeit goods being sold in Carmarthenshire? Let us know, email tradingstandards@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01267 234567.