Illicit vapes worth £1m seized from Manchester shop

Around £1 million worth of illicit and counterfeit vapes have been seized from a vape shop in Manchester in joint operation by Greater Manchester Police, Home Office and Salford City Council.

Officers from Operation Vulcan of the GMP joined Home Office Immigration Enforcement and Salford trading standards on Monday (16 September) for a warrant of a vape shop on Rugby Street, Cheetham Hill, where they discovered the haul.

As they entered the shop, they noticed a hidden door. Upon entering, they found a whole new room where they were concealing the illicit vapes.

“I hope this activity sends a clear message to those seeking to exploit the area with their criminal enterprises, Operation Vulcan and the local neighbourhood team remain in the area to ensure no criminality can creep back in after our relentless pursuit and clear out of the destructive counterfeit trade,” Police Sergeant Joseph Dunne, from Operation Vulcan, said.

“This seizure today is a great result for Operation Vulcan and our partners as it means thousands of potentially harmful products have been taken off the streets of Greater Manchester. Our joint activity will continue as a show of strength to the criminals, and to reassure the community that we remain committed to protecting them.”

Cllr Barbara Bentham, lead member for environment and community safety at Salford City Council, said: “The seizure and removal of the illegal vapes is a clear message to all wholesalers and retailers that we do not tolerate this type of criminal activity and will continue to work with GMP and partners, to eradicate any further incidents.

“Supplying illegal vapes and tobacco products to the public undermines our efforts to protect our communities and helps to fund a variety of criminal activities. It can undercut and undermine the reputation of our local retailers who operate legally to provide goods and services across the city.”