Detection dog helps sniff out illegal cigarettes

A gifted detection dog helped sniff out 13,000 illegal cigarettes from a shop that has been closed after it continued to operate illegally.

Griffin the cocker spaniel and Reading Council's trading standards visited Reading Mini Mart in Oxford Road with police officers last week and it was formally closed by magistrates on Wednesday, the authority said.

Despite previous interventions the shop had continued to trade unlawfully and it could be closed for up to three months, it added.

A video released by the council shows how Griffin found concealed tobacco that had been hidden in a storage area at the back of the shop.

The illegal cigarettes, worth about £4,500 if they were sold, will be destroyed.

Finn McGoldrick, the council's lead member for environmental services and community safety, said it was an "impressive result" and part of a wider crackdown on illegal cigarettes.

"I'd especially like to thank Griffin and his handler, Stuart," he added. "Detection dogs are highly skilled and can find tobacco and cigarettes hidden in the most unlikely places.

"Offenders need to know that they will face consequences if they choose to deal in these illegal products. Hopefully, it will also make traders think twice about stocking these products."

Sgt Alistair Mathieson, of Thames Valley Police, said: "This was a great result that underpins our lack of tolerance for issues that impact the wellbeing of our communities.

"We are committed to working closely with our partners to tackle this type of offending.

"The public also plays a vital role in helping us tackle offending in our communities. If you have concerns about illegal tobacco or related criminality, please report it to us," he added.