Almost £30k worth of counterfeit vapes seized from shops across Tameside

Almost £30,000 worth of illegal, counterfeit vapes were seized from shops across Tameside on Tuesday (May 14). The Council's trading standards team, along with environmental health officers and police visited a number of stores in the borough as part of Operation Spectre.

Officers attended a number of stores after receiving intelligence about suspected illegal activity - and to remind businesses about the laws surrounding the sale of age-restricted products such as knives, alcohol and electronic cigarettes, Tameside Council said.

During the visits, officers seized 2296 illegal vapes with a street value of £27552 and illicit tobacco with a value of £159 from three shops. The shops have not been revealed, but the council said "appropriate enforcement action will be taken."

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All other businesses visited were found to be compliant and were advised and reminded of their duties of responsible selling and licence conditions.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Environmental Services Cllr Denise Ward said: “Trade in illicit tobacco and e cigarettes supports crime rings, damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people.

"Public protection is a priority for us and I’m pleased to see this successful joint work with the police to help keep our local communities safe as well as to support responsible, local businesses that comply with the law.”