Illegal Vapes, Tobacco Seized in Raids Oldbury, Newcastle, Staffordshire

Authorities in the UK have intensified efforts to combat the sale of illegal vapes, tobacco, and cigarettes through coordinated raids and enforcement campaigns. In Sandwell, police and Trading Standards seized nearly £5,000 worth of counterfeit and illegal products, including over 100 oversized disposable vapes and 5,000 illicit cigarettes, as part of the Safer 6 campaign targeting illegal activities across six towns. Similarly, in Staffordshire, Trading Standards officers, supported by police and specialist search dogs, conducted raids at three Newcastle-under-Lyme premises, confiscating illegal vapes, 5,460 cigarettes, and 2.75kg of hand rolling tobacco valued at over £9,000. These operations align with national initiatives like Operation CeCe and Operation Joseph and coincide with the UK government's ban on single-use vapes effective June 1, targeting public health and environmental concerns and aiming to reduce youth vaping. Officials emphasized that the illicit trade is often linked to organized crime, posing health risks and undermining legitimate businesses, urging the public to report suspicious activity. The comprehensive approach includes intelligence-based inspections, community engagement, and potential store closures to disrupt illegal supply chains and protect communities.