ILLEGAL vapes and counterfeit cigarettes worth aroundal of £8,500 were seized from a Malvern store today (Wednesday, July 17).
Officers from Malvern Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) supported Worcestershire Trading Standards on a visit to Yellow Shop on Graham Road.
The visit followed community concerns around the suspected illegal selling of vapes and illicit tobacco at the premises.
Officers found the products were being sold from the premises and they were seized by Trading Standards.
The illegal vapes were estimated to be worth £1,750 and the illicit tobacco and counterfeit cigarettes were valued around £6,700.
As part of the partnership operation and investigation, police also seized a blade.
The operation forms part of a week of action in Malvern, shining a light on the work the town’s officers do every day to protect and serve the community.
Sgt Geraint Perkins, of Malvern SNT, said: “Acting upon community concerns we carried out a highly successful partnership operation with multiple illegal cigarettes and vapes taken off our streets, halting criminal activity and safeguarding our communities.
“The sale of counterfeit cigarettes and illegal vapes are linked to organised crime gangs.
“We will not tolerate any criminal operations in our area.”
And he urged anyone with information about illegal activity to report it via the ‘Report A Crime’ section at westmercia.police.uk – the West Mercia website.
Alternatively, visit crimestoppers-uk.org or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
