‘Van-full’ of illegal vapes seized in Newark shop raids

Nottinghamshire Police said its officers loaded a van up full of illegal vapes after seizing them during a series of shop raids.

Three shops across Newark town centre were searched by police at different points on 15 October evening.

Officers and PCSOs from the neighbourhood team packed up several bags worth of illegal disposable vapes from the stores.

Nottinghamshire County Council Trading Standards officers also joined Newark police in targeting the sale of illegal tobacco and disposable vapes.

The joint operation was carried out as part of the Newark neighbourhood team’s activity for Safer Business Action Week, which started on 14 October.

While no illicit tobacco products were found during the raids, large quantities of vapes were removed from the shops in question.

“We’re pleased to have been able to take such high quantities of illegal disposable vapes out of circulation through this activity,” Inspector Charlotte Ellam, district commander for Newark and Sherwood, said.

“Shops which blatantly sell illegal vapes negatively impact genuine, law-abiding retailers who struggle to compete.

“If anyone sees shops selling anything they believe to be illegal or not approved for sale in the UK, we’d ask them to please contact Nottinghamshire Trading Standards directly.”