Thousands of illegal vapes – along with counterfeit and unlicensed drugs – have been seized in a £1million police raid at a city shop. The raid, described by police as “one of the biggest seizures of its kind”, happened in Erdington High Street on Monday, December 30.
A total of 7,545 vapes were recovered, along with 134kg of tobacco and 329,740 cigarettes. Police said more than 300 boxes of imported prescription drugs – which had not been cleared for use in the UK – were also taken into evidence.
The items were found hidden behind a fake wall in the shop, police added, as well as in a flat protected by a metal door. The illicit goods were said to be worth around £1million in total.
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West Midlands Police said its joint investigation with Trading Standards into the incident will continue. The force said a “number of people” were being quizzed.
Det Insp Tom Lyons said: “This was great working between partners to disrupt the supply of illegal goods in Erdington. Counterfeit and illicit tobacco can be dangerous, as can imported prescription drugs which are not cleared for use in the UK.
“We are committed to working with Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards team, HMRC and other partners to prevent harm to communities in whatever form it takes.”
Councillor Sam Forsyth, Chair of Licensing and Public Protection Committee, said: “This latest seizure demonstrates the continued efforts by all partners to remove dangerous and illicit goods, so they no longer pose a threat within our communities. This positive outcome is another step in the right direction towards targeting organised crime groups and we will continue working in partnership with West Midlands Police to protect the public.”