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Videos can use content-based copyright law contains reasonable use Fair Use ( A TEAM of four-legged super- sleuths have helped sniff out millions in illegal cash and tobacco. Spaniels Scamp, Yoyo and Phoebe have amazing powers of detection which have seen them smash cigarette rings for 104 trading standards departments across the country. Along with their owner and trainer Stuart Phillips, 41, they scour ceilings, floors and walls for hidden stashes of fags and money. Together they have found £16million worth of tobacco and £2.5million in cash. The finds even led to nine-year-old springer spaniel Scamp having a bounty put on his head by criminals last year. Stuart, who is a former handler with the Ministry of Defence, set up BWY Canine ten years ago to provide sniffer dogs to police, customs and trading standards officers. He said: “People always think about sniffer dogs finding drugs. But illegal tobacco is 75 per cent of what we do. “Counterfeit cigarettes used to be sold under the counter in independent shops. “But now it’s so lucrative the dogs have to work to find tobacco and money stashed in walls, ceilings and floors. 'MANY SHOPS ARE LINKED TO ORGANISED CRIME' “When we find tobacco, we usually find large amounts of unlawfully gained cash. “The dogs are trained to sniff quantities of £1,000 and more. “Many of the shops we visit are making up to £1,000 a day and are linked to organised crime. “The loss of revenue to HMRC is £2.1billion a year.” The dogs learn their skills by being given the scent to detect, in tennis balls and Kong dog treat puzzles. Once they can pick up on the smell, they go out and detect it in the shops. Stuart, from Pembrokeshire, says criminals are attracted to peddling illegal tobacco because the penalties are far lower. He said: “If £250,000 worth of cigarettes are seized, they will usually escape with a fine. “But if someone was caught with drugs worth the same amount, they’d face a lengthy jail term. “Cut-price cigarettes contain all kinds of nasty things, including wood shavings, sawdust and vinegar to keep the tobacco moist and stop it going mouldy. “They’re dangerous.” Yoyo, six, a cocker spaniel, and Scamp, regularly find bundles of notes. Stuart’s first dog Phoebe, a ten-year-old sprocker, is now retired. All three are rescue dogs. Phoebe came from Greenacres Rescue, Pembrokeshire, Yoyo was dumped and found in a terrible state and Scamp was abandoned because he was “too much” for his owners. Stuart said: “All three dogs have won awards for their work from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, the Anti-Counterfeiting Group and West Mercia Police. “It’s amazing to think these dogs who were once unwanted are making such a contribution and I’m really proud of them.” By Rachel Spencer STAR OF THE WEEKWEST Highland terrier Rup
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