A mini market in Worcestershire was found in possession of illegal vapes, counterfeit cigarettes, and tobacco estimated to be worth £8,500. The seizure came after a raid in Bromsgrove led by officers from Bromsgrove Safer Neighbourhood Team and Worcestershire Trading Standards.
During the operation in the town centre, the team targeted a mini market on The Strand, as well as premises on Church Street and the High Street. The seizure was a result of ongoing efforts to combat serious and organized crime, spurred by intelligence from the public and schools regarding suspected sales of illegal vapes, counterfeit cigarettes, and tobacco, including sales to underage children.
West Mercia Police uncovered a haul of illegal vapes with an estimated street value of £4,500 and counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco worth £4,000 at the mini market. These illicit products were found hidden under the counter and concealed underneath plinths around the shop before being seized by Trading Standards officers.
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Police Sergeant Steve O’Neill of Bromsgrove Safer Neighbourhood Team stated, “Today we have acted on community concerns around the illicit sales of counterfeit cigarettes, tobacco, and illegal vapes in the town. This joint operation with Trading Standards was a success, uncovering a large amount of high-value counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco following good intelligence work. These illegal products would have been destined for black market tobacco sales which are linked to organised crime groups so taking them off the streets has not only protected the public from these unregulated products but also disrupted a wider network of criminal activity that impacts our local communities.”
The raid was part of Operation Target, where police work closely with other forces and partners to combat serious and organized crime and its harmful effects on society.
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