A crackdown on a town’s illegal nicotine trade uncovered numerous shops holding potentially dangerous contraband.

Trading Standards recently apprehended a significant haul from five Folkestone vendors in a coordinated sting on two streets.

Images show hundreds of seized tobacco and vape products bagged up and bundled into council vans, with sniffer dog Cooper in the foreground.

The scourge of illegal nicotine products brings serious health risks and funds organised crime, by undercutting legitimate businesses.

Kent Trading Standards boss James Whiddett, said: “The use of Cooper the detection dog was extremely helpful as some premises use sophisticated hides for the illegal product that only Cooper can find.

“The multi-agency approach to the activity enabled officers to deal with the premises in an effective way.

“Trading Standards will continue to remove illegal tobacco from the high streets of Kent as this illegal activity brings criminals into our communities and can encourage children to smoke due to the cheap price of the products.”

Working with police and the district council, the agency swooped on Guildhall Street and Joyes Road, before putting labrador Cooper to work.

Of the seven shops targeted, only two were found to be above board during the February 20 operation.

Kent County Council – which oversees Trading Standards – could not reveal which businesses are suspected of illegal trading, as an investigation is still ongoing.

Detective Inspector James Wyles added: “The sale of illegal vaping and tobacco products brings organised crime into communities and undermines local legitimate businesses.

“They can also pose a serious threat to public safety.

“As part of our work to keep Folkestone safe we will continue to work with partner agencies, and Cooper the detection dog, to prevent the sale of these potentially dangerous products.”

Hired via BWY Canine, Cooper has helped uncover thousands of illicit products for numerous councils nationwide.