Newport sniffer dog showcases skills to Ministers

Trading standards in Newport are attempting to rid the area of illegal tobacco - and they're increasingly using sniffer dogs to find hidden stashes. Young people are often the targets of suppliers and those suppliers are becoming more inventive with how illegal tobacco is concealed. In the last few months one store worth half a million pounds was discovered. James Crichton-Smith has been to meet one of the team's most effective members.

Phoebe is a sprocker spaniel, which is a cross between a springer and a cocker spaniel.

She has been working with her handler, Stuart, and Newport's Trading Standards department.

In May, she helped find £500,000 worth of tobacco found in hidden places, including holes in the walls.

You can follow her work with B.W.Y Canine on twitter.

A dog which helped to sniff out Wales' largest illegal tobacco seizure is set to showcase its skills for ministers today.

Phoebe and her handler Stuart Phillips have been working with Newport Council's trading standards department in recent months, carrying out a number of raids on local shops believed to be selling counterfeit or illegally labelled tobacco.

In May, the duo from B.W.Y Canine, assisted in a Gwent Police operation in Newport, where they uncovered £500,000 worth of tobacco, some of which was concealed in walls.

Health Minister Mark Drakeford AM and Local Government Minister Lesley Griffiths AM will be in Newport today to see Phoebe in action.