Three specialist sniffer dogs have helped Kensington and Chelsea Council seize more than 1,500 illicit and counterfeit items during a day of raids across the borough.
Spaniels Lily, Zigi and Hugo joined Trading Standards officers last week, targeting shops suspected of selling illegal tobacco.
The dogs helped uncover over 1,300 illicit cigarettes at three premises in Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove and South Kensington, along with 140 tobacco sticks, nine counterfeit Labubu dolls, nine illegal vapes, seven tobacco pouches and three unsafe travel adaptors – 1,514 items in total.
Cllr Johnny Thalassites, lead member for Resident Services, Planning and Enforcement, praised the dogs' work, stressing that illegal tobacco is ‘not a victimless trade’ and undermines honest businesses and resident safety.
The raids were part of Operation CeCe, a joint effort with HMRC and National Trading Standards. Officers are now considering formal action against the businesses involved.
