Highly-trained search dogs have been sniffing out counterfeit tobacco and alcohol being sold at shops, pubs and clubs in the Ammanford area.

Phoebe and Scamp spent two days working with Carmarthenshire County Council’s Trading Standards team around Ammanford and in Llanelli and uncovered tobacco, alcohol and electronics worth over £8,000.

The sniffer dogs, working for BWY Canine, found a range of illegal cigarettes, vodka and whiskey being sold in 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 a 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.

Councillor 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? Contact tradingstandards@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01267 234567.