Skye, a specially trained springer spaniel, detected suspicious smells coming from a locked box
A sharp-nosed sniffer dog is being hailed a ‘hero’ after uncovering a hidden stash of illegal cigarettes, vapes, and unlicensed erectile tablets during an enforcement operation in Tower Hamlets.
While patrolling with Trading Standards officers on Wednesday 11 June 2025, Skye – a specially trained four-year old springer spaniel, detected suspicious scents coming from a locked box attached to the back of a bike outside a local shop.
Skye is part of a new dog patrol service introduced in February as part of Tower Hamlets’ £8m Anti-Crime Task Force — a joint effort with the police to tackle crime and disorder. The initiative was launched to boost community safety, and support officers with weapons sweeps, drug disruption, and vehicle checks.
What looked like an ordinary bike box used for deliveries, turned out to be a covert cache of illicit goods. Thanks to Skye’s keen sense of smell, officers were able to seize:
- 233 packets of illicit cigarettes
- 7 packets of smokeless tobacco
- 14 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco
- 24 illegal vapes
- 80 unlicensed erectile tablets
The discovery was part of a wider two-day crackdown by Tower Hamlets Council, targeting the sale of counterfeit and unsafe products, which in total led to the seizure of:
- 5,840 illicit cigarettes (292 packets)
- 418 assorted illegal vapes
- 2,055 packets of smokeless chewing tobacco
- 80 unlicensed and potentially dangerous erectile tablets
Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Integrated Enforcement, praised the operation’s success:
“Counterfeit cigarettes, unregulated vapes, and unlicensed medicines can be really dangerous and have no place on our high streets.
“We take a proactive approach to smoke out illegal trading in Tower Hamlets and regularly use sniffer dogs, so there’s no place for such trading to hide.
“I’d like to thank our Trading Standards team and Skye who played a hero’s role in helping to keep our communities safe.”
If you suspect a business is selling illegal tobacco, vapes, or medicines, you can report it anonymously via the Tower Hamlets Council website.
Posted on Thursday 3rd July 2025