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More on KentOnline
A search dog sniffed out thousands of illegal cigarettes hidden in fridge-freezer concealed behind a tiled wall in a shower.
Cocker spaniel Yoyo made the incredible find during a series of police raids on businesses in Chatham last week, which uncovered around 145,000 illegal cigarettes.
Four premises were visited by officers in the Medway Community Safety Unit, working in partnership with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Medway Council, on Friday, August 14.
Court warrants were secured to gain access to private areas of shops.
Officers also found illegal tobacco products - which had not paid the necessary UK duties - hidden behind ceiling tiles and in parked vans.
The investigation will now be progressed by officers from HMRC.
Inspector Steve Bassett, from Kent Police, said: "Our activity caused significant disruption to well organised offenders who are seeking to profit at the taxpayer’s expense.
"Offenders often go to great lengths to conceal their products but we have the expertise and resources to carry out proactive action."
"Offending like this is not a harmless crime, these items are often brought into the country by organised crime groups who we cannot allow to go unchallenged.
"Opportunistic shopkeepers who sell these items also gain an unfair advantage over law abiding businesses and this can have a detrimental impact on the livelihoods of shop holders acting legitimately.
"We have an excellent relationship with Medway Council, HMRC and BWY Canine Specialist Search Dogs, who train dogs to search for tobacco.
"We are all committed to clamping down on such activity.
"As this day shows, offenders often go to great lengths to conceal their products but we have the expertise and resources to carry out proactive action."
Cllr David Brake, Medway Council’s portfolio holder for adult services, covering public health, said: “It is fantastic news that we, alongside our partners at Kent Police and HMRC, have stopped these products being sold in Medway.
"Illegal tobacco is incredibly dangerous and can cause serious health problems.
"It is also sold at incredibly low prices which could encourage children and young people to take up smoking.
"We will continue to work with Kent Police to take action against anyone found to be selling illegal tobacco."
Tom Hunnisett, assistant director of the Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: "The sale of illegal tobacco will not be tolerated by us or our partner agencies.
"Disrupting criminal trade is at the heart of our strategy to clamp down on the illicit tobacco market, which steals money away from our vital public services and undermines legitimate traders.
"We encourage anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco to report it online or call the Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887."
