Phoebe the sniffer dog has helped in the seizure of illegal cigarettes and tobacco during inspections in Melksham and Trowbridge.

Wiltshire Council officers visited a range of retail and licensed premises, to ensure contraband tobacco was not being stored. Locations of some swoops were based on tip-offs from the public.

Phoebe helped trading standards officers by sniffing out smuggled tobacco concealed inside hollowed-out crates of beer in a Melksham cellar, a vehicle and other hiding places in the town.

They found 49 packets of smuggled cigarettes, including copycats of Marlboro and Viceroy brands. They also discovered 26 pouches of Amber Leaf and Golden Virginia rolling tobacco with foreign warning labels.

It is a criminal offence to sell or supply illegal tobacco or possess it with the intention of selling or supplying.

Any licensed premises caught with illegally imported tobacco can face a review of their licence to sell alcohol, which can result in a suspension or revocation, even for a first occasion.

Wiltshire Council’s investigations into the confiscated goods are ongoing.

Keith Humphries, the cabinet member responsible for trading standards, said: “Our trading standards team is working with partners to do everything it can to stamp out illegal tobacco throughout Wiltshire.

“I want to underline that we will take action on any information we receive and I would urge anyone with concerns that illegal tobacco is being sold in their area to report it to trading standards on 0300 456 0100.”

To report the selling of illegal tobacco, people can also make contact anonymously, online, to the department at www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The service cannot trace calls and will never ask for a caller’s name.