The Trading Standards operation took just one day, consisted of searching several properties and revealed concealed tobacco products, which Trading Standards Officers are currently investigating.

Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Environmental Protection and Safer Communities said: "These dogs are a fantastic resource for the Trading Standards Team to be able to call on for assistance." He continued; "The fight against those in our communities who supply illicit tobacco, especially to children, is ongoing, but now we’ve got some extra help. However I would urge anyone aware of places where illegal tobacco is being supplied, to report it to Trading Standards."

Wagtail UK has successfully provided tobacco detection dogs to Trading Standards and HMRC since August 2010 and have been involved in operations that have resulted in the seizure of over half a million cigarettes, over a 'tonne' of loose tobacco and other associated items.

Wagtail UK Ltd is an international company, established in October 2002. Since then the company has developed into one of the UK’s leading specialist dog companies, providing services worldwide.