Bracknell Forest Council has recruited a specialist private dog detection company based in Pembrokeshire, Wales, to root out the culprits who are damaging the trade of honest shopkeepers.

Trading standards officers organised the operation, and searches with two dogs on one day were carried out at 18 shops and off-licences.

The dogs, trained and handled by BWY Canine, are experts at finding explosives and firearms.

The operation was ordered after tip-offs from members of the public and routine inspections.

Three searches turned up 20 bottles of fake Bacardi rum on which no duty had been paid, as well as 27 pouches of either rolling or shisha pipe tobacco.

Further searches have been planned.

Cllr Ian McCracken, Bracknell Forest Council executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, said: “Congratulations to our trading standards officers on this successful operation and thanks to BWY Canine for their help and support.

“Counterfeit and illegal products are an increasing problem, not only in Bracknell Forest but throughout the United Kingdom.” He added: “This is not a victimless crime. Lost tax revenues affect us all.

“These products also create an unfair trading environment, where honest shopkeepers struggle to compete and survive.” Robert Sexton, head of council regulatory services, said: “It is important to crack down on sales of these products because they can harm everyone, from legitimate traders to unsuspecting consumers whose health can be put at risk.

“Counterfeit alcohol is unregulated and often produced in very unhygienic conditions.” A council spokeswoman said that trained dogs can find hidden stashes of fake products faster than searches can be carried out by trading standards officers.

She said: “The dogs can find products in places that officers would not detect.”