Police Seize £36,000 Worth of Vaping Products in Raid in North Staffordshire, UK

During a raid on December 14, police and city officials seized an estimated £36,000 worth of “oversized vapes, counterfeit cigarettes and illegal food” from several businesses in Newcastle.

The Newcastle crackdown came weeks after a shop in Longton was found with £50,000 worth of “illegal tobacco” and vaping products. According to StokeonTrentLive, the discovery was made by the council after the business failed a test purchase.

Meanwhile, community leaders hope the operation sends a clear message to businesses considering illegal sales. The day of action saw Staffordshire Police work with the county council’s Trading Standards team, with immigration officers also involved.

Chief Inspector John Owen said: “We are committed to working with our partners to proactively tackle the ongoing issues in Staffordshire.

“Unregulated products can pose serious health risks. These goods have not been taxed or legally brought into the country. We want to continue working closely with Trading Standards and local authorities to ensure businesses in the area operate legally and safely.”

“Reducing harm and protecting our communities is a top priority for local officers. We are committed to taking a proactive approach and working with partners to address the issues that matter most to local people.”

In Newcastle, US sweets containing “unauthorised ingredients” were also found. The county council had previously warned parents that products sold in the county contained ingredients linked to childhood ADHD and cancer.

Trading Standards officers had previously visited 50 shops during a two-week operation and seized 3,378 items worth £8,500 from stores across the county. Victoria Wilson, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for Trading Standards, said the latest Newcastle crackdown once again underlines that action will be taken.

She said: “Tackling the sale of illegal counterfeit or illicit goods is a priority for our team, and we work with partners to protect consumer safety.

“Officers seized a haul of illegal and counterfeit tobacco, which not only harms local communities but also legitimate businesses. The items seized also included illegal and oversized vapes, as well as US sweets containing unauthorised ingredients that should not be sold in the UK.

“This latest action shows that we continue to take action against illegal sales, and anyone with information should get in touch with the team.”

Councillor Jill Hysom, Newcastle Borough Council’s cabinet member for community safety and wellbeing, said: “This operation was a follow-up to a week of action against crime and anti-social behaviour, as we want our residents to be safe in the town centre and protected from illegal goods. We will continue to work with the county council and Staffordshire Police to ensure those responsible are dealt with appropriately.”

Details of the five shops visited during the operation have not yet been made public.