News

Pembrokeshire specialist dogs help Kent Police in tobacco bust

Published

3 years ago

April 6, 2023

A TWO-DAY operation which saw hundreds of thousands of illegal cigarettes and tobacco seized wouldn’t have happened without two crime-fighting dogs from Pembrokeshire, their owner has said.

Operation Puggle, which took place on April 3 and 4, saw 242,500 illicit cigarettes and 1,516 pouches of tobacco pouches – worth an estimated street value of £76,000 – seized from eight shops.

Five detection dogs from B.W.Y Canine in Llandissilio took part in the joint operation at Gravesend, involving Kent Police and Kent Trading Standards, customs and the UK Immigration Service.

Stuart Phillips, from BWY Canine, said: “I was tasked by Kent Police and Kent Trading Standards to assist them on Operation Puggle, which is an ongoing operation to disrupt the illegal tobacco trade in Gravesend and tackle organised crime. Over the two days I used five specialist detection dogs to support the operation.

“Without the dogs, there would have been no results, the dogs were the major players in this two-day operation.”

During the operation, one of Stuarts dogs, Bran, indicated there was tobacco behind some tiling in a basement. Officers removed this false panel and found that a tunnel had been dug through to the basement of the adjoining shop.

Inside the tunnel officers found more than 148,000 cigarettes and 1,315 pouches of tobacco, the largest single seizure that team had secured.

“Bran the tobacco detection dog discovered a secret tunnel containing hundreds of thousands of smuggled cigarettes and pouches of tobacco. Without Bran, it would never have been found,” Stuart said.

The following day, officers found a chute behind a counter in another shop, thanks to BWY Canine, following it up to a second floor flat above the shop.

Fellow BWY Canine dog Yoyo gave the indication there was tobacco inside so officers forced entry, finding 58,900 illicit cigarettes and 135 pouches of tobacco hidden behind magnetic concealments inside three false walls.

“On day two, Yoyo identified a room in a block of flats being used to store illegal tobacco. The cigarettes were hidden in specially constructed walls within a bedroom, which was on the second floor in a building. In the same bedroom there was a chute which was used to drop the illegal cigarettes to the shop on the ground floor.

“Cooper the tobacco dog (fox red lab) actually found the chute exit in the shop because a pack of cigarettes was stuck in the chute. Again, none of these finds would have been possible without the dogs.”

Inspector James Beautridge of North Kent’s Community Safety Unit said: ‘The results from these two days shows just how prevalent this issue is, and the lengths to which some shop owners will go in order to hide these products and avoid detection.”

During the operation illegal vapes were also seized and fines were issued for immigration offences.

Stuart and the BWY Canine dogs have been assisting Trading Standards, Police and Customs to disrupt organised crime and tackle illegal tobacco in the UK for a decade now, gaining a reputation amongst law enforcement agencies for providing tobacco and cash detection dogs that get results.

“Over the past 10 years I have worked with over 100 Trading Standards teams and 20 police services, supporting them with specialist tobacco and cash detection dogs.

“In a routine five-day week, myself and the dogs will carry out between 20 and 35 searches of shops, houses and other locations suspected of being involved in the sale and distribution of illegal tobacco.”

Detection dogs

In total, five detection dogs used over the two days.

Cooper – Tobacco dog – Fox Red Lab

Maggie – Cash Dog – Cocker with pink collar

Yoyo – Tobacco Dog – Cocker Spaniel

Bran – Tobacco Dog – Cocker Spaniel

Griff – Toobacco Dog – Liver and white Springer Spaniel

Yoyo indicated on the door to the flat above the shop New Road Groceries.

Maggie found criminal cash in black rucksack at rear of one shop on Milton Road.

Cooper found concealment in Smart Shop yesterday. Cooper also found concealment in New Road Groceries today.

Bran found the tunnel yesterday in Queen Street shop.

Griff worked hard but didn’t find anything unfortunately.

Crime

Police stop car in Pennar as three arrested in drugs investigation

Published

16 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Suspected drug driver report leads to major police response and multiple arrests

DRAMATIC scenes were reported in Pennar on Monday afternoon (Mar 23) after multiple police vehicles were deployed to stop a car.

The incident happened at around 5:00pm near Pennar Court, Pembroke Dock, where officers located a stationary vehicle following reports of a suspected drug driver in the area.

Police attended and pre-emptively stopped the vehicle, also blocking a second car nearby.

Officers carried out searches of both vehicles and discovered suspected controlled substances.

A 32-year-old woman and a 47-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of possessing class A and class B drugs with intent to supply. A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and possession of class A and class B drugs with intent to supply.

The 32-year-old woman has been released under investigation, while the 31-year-old man and 47-year-old woman have been released on unconditional bail.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the incident followed reports of a man believed to be driving under the influence in the area earlier that afternoon.

Crime

Sex offender jailed for sending explicit messages to ’14-year-old’ girls

Published

16 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MAN has been jailed after sending sexual messages on Snapchat to three girls he believed were aged 14.

Ciaran Carmody, aged 21, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court via video link from HM Wrexham prison, where he admitted three offences of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child under 16.

The court heard the messages were sent on three separate occasions to accounts posing as 14-year-old girls, which were in fact part of an undercover police operation.

Prosecutor Nia James said each of the girls made their age clear, but the messages sent by Carmody were sexual in nature.

The offences took place between April 25 and May 5, 2025.

Finance

Haverfordwest savers encouraged to seek clarity ahead of ISA tax year end

Published

16 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TWO in three savers say a fixed interest rate would give them greater peace of mind when planning their finances, according to new research from Principality Building Society*, as people in Haverfordwest are encouraged to review their savings ahead of the ISA tax year deadline.

The research, conducted with more than 1,500 people, also found that while many savers feel comfortable managing their money independently, a significant number still value the reassurance of speaking to someone when making important financial decisions.

Meanwhile, around one in six people mistakenly believe they must open a new ISA every tax year, highlighting ongoing confusion around how ISAs work. In many cases, particularly for variable savings products, savers may be able to continue paying into an existing ISA.

With the tax year end approaching, Principality Building Society is inviting Members and local savers to speak with colleagues at its High Street branch in Haverfordwest to better understand their options and make informed choices about how to use their ISA allowance.

The research also highlights the appeal of certainty when it comes to savings. Two in three savers say a fixed rate would give them peace of mind, reflecting the reassurance that comes from knowing exactly what return they will receive over a set period. Fixed rate Cash ISAs can provide that certainty, making it easier for some savers to plan ahead.

Vicky Wales, Chief Savings and Lending Officer at Principality Building Society, said: “ISA season can often feel busy and confusing, particularly against the backdrop of changes in the wider financial environment. Many people value the opportunity to talk through their options and feel confident they’re making the right decision.

Every saver’s situation is unique, so having a conversation can help people better understand their choices and how these align with their longer-term plans. Understanding the differences between savings products – including fixed and variable rates – can help savers make the most of their ISA allowance, and ensure their money is working in a way that suits their individual goals.”

Principality Building Society is encouraging anyone in Haverfordwest who would like to review their savings ahead of the tax year end to visit their local branch for a supportive conversation about their options, and how they can make the most of their savings.

Source: Principality Building Society’s own online community, Member Pulse, survey on Cash ISAs, March 2026 (total respondents: 1,544)