Illegal vapes and cigarettes seized in shop raids across the Midlands
Thousands of pounds worth of illegal vapes, cigarettes and tobacco have been seized in shop raids across the Midlands. Police found a counterfeit stash, with a street value of about GBP8,500, at a mini market in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, on Tuesday. They were under the counter and beneath plinths around the shop in The Strand.
It came after police were tipped off about them being sold around the town, including to underage children. Premises on Church Street and High Street were also visited as part of the joint West Mercia Police and Trading Standards operation. Sgt Steve O'Neill said: "These illegal products would have been destined for black market tobacco sales, which are linked to organised crime groups."
Meanwhile, in shops across Warwickshire, Trading Standards have seized 19,600 illegal vapes from stores in just under two years. The wholesale price of an oversized illegal vape was about GBP5, meaning the stores had lost nearly GBP100,000 overall, the county council said. Illegal disposable vapes were usually advertised as containing more than 600 puffs, an indication the vapes contained "more nicotine e-liquid than the 2ml limit", the council stated.
It added the 2ml limit was designed to help prevent nicotine poisoning, the results of which included nausea, vomiting and headaches. About 10,000 vapes were seized during the financial year 2022/23 and a further 9,600 have been seized since April. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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