Canine crimefighter sniffs out thousands of illegal cigarettes at Reading shop
A canine crimefighter called Griffin has helped sniff out 13,000 illegal cigarettes from a shop on Reading’s Oxford Road in a joint operation to crack down on illegal and counterfeit cigarettes in the town.
Ably aided by the Cocker Spaniel detection dog, Reading Council Trading Standards officers, working with Thames Valley Police, impounded the illegal items during an operation at Reading Mini Mart, 302 Oxford Road, on the morning of Tuesday 2 June 2026.
The visit took place under Operation CeCe, a National Trading Standards initiative, in partnership with HM Revenue and Customs, to tackle illegal tobacco.
Illegal tobacco products are cigarettes or hand rolling tobacco that have been smuggled, bootlegged or are counterfeit.
Griffin, handled by Stuart Phillips of Stu Phillips K9 Ltd, located the concealed tobacco within a hidden compartment in a storage area towards the back of the shop.
During further searches of the premises, a large shopping bag containing illegal tobacco was also identified, believed to have been thrown onto the roof of the shop next door, in an attempt to evade detection.
In total, more than 13,000 counterfeit cigarettes were seized as part of the operation and will now be destroyed. The total high street value of the seized items, had they been sold illegally, would have been around £4,500.
The premises had been subject to a Closure Notice served on 8 June 2026, following concerns relating to ongoing criminal behaviour linked to the sale of illicit tobacco.
At Reading Magistrates’ Court on 10 June, a formal Closure Order was granted, after evidence demonstrated continued unlawful trading despite previous interventions by Trading Standards.
The Court granted the Closure Order under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, enabling the Council to close the premises for a period of up to three months to prevent further criminal activity and protect the local community.
Cllr Finn McGoldrick, Lead Member for Environmental Services and Community Safety, said:
“This is another impressive result in our wider crackdown with partner agencies on rogue traders who put profits before public safety; tackling organised criminal activity in Reading and keeping our residents safe.
“I’d especially like to thank Griffin and his handler, Stuart. Detection dogs are highly skilled and can find tobacco and cigarettes hidden in the most unlikely places. Offenders need to know that they will face consequences if they choose to deal in these illegal products. Hopefully, it will also make traders think twice about stocking these products.
“Far from being a victimless crime, those involved in the illegal tobacco trade make it easier for children to start smoking, take advantage of cash-strapped families, and help fund organised crime.”
Police Sergeant Alistair Mathieson, of the Reading Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:
“This was a great result that underpins our lack of tolerance for issues that impact the wellbeing of our communities.
“We are committed to working closely with our partners to tackle this type of offending.
“The public also plays a vital role in helping us tackle offending in our communities. If you have concerns about illegal tobacco or related criminality, please report it to us.”
To report sources of illegal tobacco, contact the Illegal Tobacco Hotline on 0300 999 6 999, or via the website: https://www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk/ (information can be left anonymously).
ENDS