Illegal vapes and cigarettes seized in shop raids across the Midlands

Police uncovered illegal vapes, cigarettes and tobacco at a shop in Bromsgrove

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 £8,500, 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.

Police raided a store in Bromsgrove after members of the public tipped them off

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."

The county council said Trading Standards would continue to advise businesses and, where necessary, carry out enforcement exercises

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 £5, meaning the stores had lost nearly £100,000 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.