Shop raids seize £9.6k of dodgy vapes, tobacco and fags
It comes as a Government ban is now in place
Investigators have seized illegal vapes, illicit tobacco and dodgy fags in a series of raids. Staffordshire trading standards has swooped on three premises across Newcastle-under-Lyme.
They were assisted by Staffordshire Police and search dogs to seize 5,460 cigarettes, 2.75kg of hand rolling tobacco and 431 illegal, oversized or banned vapes. The haul was worth almost £10,000.
It follows the Government ban of single use vapes from this month.
Councillor Anthony Screen, cabinet member for community safety at Staffordshire County Council, said: “Our priority is to protect consumers from harm and removing these goods from the streets is a great example of the team’s work. The supply of these illicit and illegal goods is closely linked to organised crime and helps fund their operations. The items can also be dangerous to people’s health and can affect legitimate traders at the same time. Anyone with information should get in touch with the service who will take the necessary action.”
To report rule-breaking shops call the Staffordshire trading standards confidential helpline on 01785 330356.
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