Illegal vapes worth £9k seized in two Northampton stores

Some of the vapes seized by the police and trading standards

More than £9,000 of illicit vapes have been seized from two town centre stores.

The vapes were found in shops in Wellingborough Road and Abington Square in Northampton.

It followed an operation earlier this month in Kettering, Northamptonshire, during which £80,000 of products were seized.

Police warned illicit vapes often contain harmful psychoactive substances which can have "serious health issues".

The seizures took place during a joint operation on 23 November involving Northamptonshire Police and West Northamptonshire Trading Standards.

A total of £4,650 of products were confiscated at one store and £4,570 from the other.

Shelves stacked with vapes found by Trading Standards officers in Northampton

Aaron Dilley, a neighbourhood policing sergeant, said: "Whilst licensed, regulated vapes can be a useful tool to help adults quit smoking, the illicit vape trade is exceptionally dangerous - often containing harmful, psychoactive substances that can have serious health issues.

"These vapes often make their way into the hands of young people who have no idea how dangerous they really are."

Sgt Dilley added that taking the vapes would not only safeguard potential purchasers but could also disrupt serious and organised crime.

On 8 November, similar raids in Kettering resulted in the seizure of 418 illicit vapes and 5,119 packs of illegal cigarettes.

David Smith, West Northamptonshire Council's cabinet member for community safety, said: "We are committed to working collaboratively with Northamptonshire Police to prevent illegal vapes and cigarettes from being sold to young people and residents across the area illegally.

"Our trading standards team are working proactively with the police to tackle this head on, and I am pleased that together we've prevented £9,000 worth of illegal vapes being sold to our residents."

Northamptonshire Police said there had not been any arrests as a result of the seizures.