Sniffer dogs followed their noses to help uncover a quarter of a million illegal cigarettes worth up to £150,000.
The specially-trained canines were deployed by trading standards and police officers during raids of six premises across Newcastle.
Raids were carried out in Byker, Fenham, Benwell and Elswick by Newcastle City Council and Northumbria Police as part of intelligence-led searches on Thursday July 8.
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The investigative team unearthed approximately 250,000 illegal cigarettes with an estimated street value of £62,500 and retail value of £150,000.
The raids carried out under Operation CeCe, which is a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC to tackle illegal tobacco, have been hailed as one of the city council's most successful operations of its kind.
Cllr Linda Hobson, Newcastle City Council cabinet member with responsibility for Trading Standards, said: "Once again the sniffer dogs have more than proved their worth with this incredibly successful operation.
"Criminals who seek to benefit from the misfortune of others will be hurting thanks to these dogs and their remarkable skills, and this would not have been possible without them.
"Illegal tobacco leads to young people becoming addicted to smoking, and smokers finding it harder to kick the habit. We know it has links to organised crime, and we won’t stop fighting to keep it from our streets."
If you suspect illegal tobacco is being sold in your neighbourhood, or want to find out more, visit www.keep-it-out.co.uk.
