Dogsey

Buster, a collie, and Bertie, a collie-cross, were drafted in to help Trading Standards officers uncover hidden stashes at six premises across Sandwell.

The haul included approximately 63,400 cigarettes, 130 packets of tobacco and 25kg of shisha tobacco.

The operation was part of a crackdown on illicit and counterfeit tobacco across nine regions in England.

The dogs were drafted in after funding was provided by the Department of Health.

Councillor Paul Moore, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for Trading Standards, said “The detection dogs can find tobacco and cigarettes even if it is hidden in the most unlikely places.