Merchants using “sophisticated” methods to hide illegal products

More than £100,000 worth of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco have been seized from shops in Sandwell so far this year. Since January 1, approximately 3,200 vapes, 127,300 cigarettes and 23 bags of Shisha have been seized.

West Midlands Police and Sandwell Council’s trading standards found illegal hauls being hidden under floorboards, behind walls and in loft spaces. However, some shop owners were more revealing – with hundreds of vapes and cigarettes also found on display behind the counter.

Shopkeepers were said to be “increasingly sophisticated” in their approach to selling the illegal products. But they were told “the message is clear – you can hide it, but we will find it”.

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Sgt John Tranter, from West Midlands Police’s Partnerships Team in Sandwell, said: “We are continuing our efforts to take illegal vaping and counterfeit cigarettes off our streets and ultimately protect the public. Thanks to our partnership with Sandwell Council, we are disrupting wider criminal activity and protecting community wellbeing.”

Councilor Suzanne Hartwell, Sandwell Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for neighborhoods and communities, added: “This successful operation demonstrates our partnership commitment to protecting residents by cracking down on the sale of illegal products. This activity also helps protect law-abiding businesses from selling illegal goods, which can create an unfair trading environment for the vast majority of businesses that always follow the rules and buy and sell legal products.

“Retailers are becoming more sophisticated in their approach, but our message is clear – you can hide it, but we will find it. Additionally, illegal tobacco and vaporizers can harm the health of our residents, so it is vital that we limit their availability. Illegal vapes are dangerous because they haven’t passed safety tests and there can be severe risks, including releasing too much nicotine, banned substances or encouraging excessive consumption.”

The laws state that disposable vaporizers must have a tank capacity of no more than 2ml and no more than 650 puffs. Anything over 650 puffs was likely to contain more than the legal volume limit and should not be for sale.