Police seize £30,000 illegal vapes from shop

Counterfeit vapes and cigarettes can contain contaminants and be more harmful to health, police warned

More than £30,000 worth of suspected counterfeit and unfit-for-sale vapes and cigarettes have been seized from a shop in Rotherham.

Police and and council trading standards officers conducted an operation at a store in Swallownest on 13 February.

Intelligence from residents and local businesses, including reports of anti-social behaviour reportedly caused by the shop, resulted in the joint operation, South Yorkshire Police said.

During the inspection, more than £28,000 worth of counterfeit vapes, vape liquids and cartridges, and more than 150 packs of illegal cigarettes, worth about £1,400, were found in the shop.

Insp Darren Birley, of Rotherham South Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Not only do these vapes undercut legitimate businesses, but they also pose a serious risk to people's health.

"It isn't uncommon for these counterfeit products to find their way into the hands of children."

Sam Barstow, Rotherham Council's assistant director of community safety and street scene, said: "Joint operations of this nature to tackle illegal tobacco and vape products have resulted in over £639,000 worth of illicit items being removed from sale."

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