SPECIALLY-trained search dogs have helped trading standards officers sniff out almost £25,000 worth of illegal tobacco.

East Sussex Trading Standards used dogs Phoebe and Scamp to seek out counterfeit brands and illicit foreign tobacco and cigarettes during an operation on Saturday.

Officers seized a Volkswagen Passat parked in the Saffrons area of Eastbourne after a haul of £23,000 worth of illegal tobacco and cigarettes was found in its boot.

In a separate raid, a 36-year-old man was arrested by police after trading standards officers, alerted by their canine helpers, broke down a wall to uncover a secret stash of £1,000 worth of illegal tobacco products at a shop in Eastbourne town centre.

The male was released on bail pending further enquiries.

The tobacco dogs, which regularly help Trading Standards in their work, are provided by specialist search dogs firm B.W.Y. Canine Ltd.

Lucy Corrie, East Sussex County Council head of communities, said: “This was a very successful day’s work for our officers, who have taken a considerable quantity of illegal tobacco products out of circulation.

“The detection dogs are a great asset in helping us to seek out these items quickly, particularly in cases like this where they are deliberately hidden in places where they might not otherwise be found.

“These raids were prompted by intelligence received from the community, and we’d strongly encourage anyone who knows of illegal cigarettes being sold in their area to let us know.”

Anyone with information should contact Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 040506.