A sniffer dog has helped Trading Standards seize thousands of illicit cigarettes from two Watford shops, during a Hertfordshire-wide operation.
--> 5 Sniffer dog finds 7,780 illegal cigarettes hidden at two Watford shops A concealed shelf found in a Watford shop in 2025 <i>(Image: Hertfordshire Count<span class="truncate"><span class="truncate-preview">y Council)</i></span></span> Sniffer dog finds 7,780 illegal cigarettes hidden at two Watford shops A concealed shelf found in a Watford shop in 2025 <i>(Image: Hertfordshire Count<span class="truncate"><span class="truncate-preview">y Council)</i></span></span> Sniffer dog finds 7,780 illegal cigarettes hidden at two Watford shops Tobacco products found hidden in a bin in 2025 <i>(Image: Hertfordshire County C<span class="truncate"><span class="truncate-preview">ouncil)</i></span></span> Sniffer dog finds 7,780 illegal cigarettes hidden at two Watford shops Fred presents his finds from this month's operation. <i>(Image: Hertfordshire Co<span class="truncate"><span class="truncate-preview">unty Council)</i></span></span> Sniffer dog finds 7,780 illegal cigarettes hidden at two Watford shops False wall at a Hertsmere store in 2025 <i>(Image: Hertfordshire County Council)<span class="truncate"><span class="truncate-preview"></i></span></span> A sniffer dog has helped Trading Standards seize thousands of illicit cigarettes from Watford shops. Operation CeCe, which targets the illegal tobacco trade, has seen Hertfordshire retailers caught with unusual and complex concealments used to avoid detection. During an operation which visited stores in Watford, Hatfield, Borehamwood, Potters Bar, and Bishop’s Stortford over the first week of June, newly trained Fred found more than 31,000 illicit cigarettes and 3.35kg of hand-rolling tobacco. A concealed shelf found in a Watford shop in 2025 (Image: Hertfordshire County Council) This included one shop in Watford where 6,390 cigarettes were discovered and another where 1,400 cigarettes and 0.2kg of hand-rolling tobacco were seized. Police have not revealed which shops were raided, only describing them as "retail". The force have been contacted for more details. Cllr Ajanta Hilton, who is responsible for public health and community safety at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “This is exactly the kind of result we want to see. "Criminals are going to extraordinary lengths to hide illegal tobacco, but thanks to detection dogs and the dedication of our officers, they’re being exposed. Tobacco products found hidden in a bin in 2025 (Image: Hertfordshire County Council) “Operations like this send a clear message, if you’re selling illicit goods in Hertfordshire, we will find you and take action.” Video shows trapdoor basement beneath shop raided over illegal products Pensioners at retirement block warned over drugs and vaping Police raids targeting 'organised gangs' see arrests made and £25k seized Trading standards officers are now working closely with police and district council colleagues to review findings and consider closure orders for the businesses caught. Fred presents his finds from this month's operation. (Image: Hertfordshire County Council) It has also revealed some of the places, including false walls, bins, and concealed shelves, where products were found during previous operations during 2025. One showed hidden shelving packed with secret products found by a detection dog in Watford last year. False wall at a Hertsmere store in 2025 (Image: Hertfordshire County Council)
