Illegal vaping and tobacco items worth £394k seized

More than £394,000 worth of illegal vaping and tobacco products have been seized from shops by police and Trading Standards.

Northamptonshire Police and Trading Standards officers carried out inspections at 30 shops across the north of the county, where they seized 8,469 illicit vapes and 193,811 individual cigarettes across four days earlier this year.

More than 1,500 packets of hand-rolling tobacco were also seized, along with 405 individual cigars.

Sgt Hollie Callaghan warned the illegal products could pose serious health risks.

"Some may see the sale of such products as a low-level crime, however, counterfeit and illicit vapes or tobacco can pose a serious risk to health," she said.

"They may also be sold to young people who are not legally able to buy vapes and tobacco products legitimately and can end up funding other more serious and organised crimes."

A total of £394,122.39 worth of illegal goods were seized.

Sixteen shops were visited on 10 and 11 of January before 14 further premises were visited on 20 and 21 March as part of a clampdown on illegal sales.

Investigations into the illegal sales continue.

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