Buckinghamshire Council said it has removed thousands of pounds of illegal vapes and tobacco products across the county during a three-day enforcement operation.
Working alongside partners including Thames Valley Police, Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, HMRC, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and licensing officers, the council recently took part in a coordinated operation targeting suspected criminal activity linked to some high street businesses.
Operation Machinize, the ongoing NCA (National Crime Agency) coordinated project to tackle money laundering and criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses, saw officers seizing illegal vapes, cigarettes and tobacco products, helping to prevent potentially unsafe goods from reaching residents and young people.
Thames Valley Police confirmed one arrest was made, while further investigations are being carried out by the police, HMRC and Trading Standards.
"Residents should be able to feel confident that the products being sold in Buckinghamshire are safe and legal. Operations like this help protect people from potentially harmful goods, support honest local businesses and make our communities safer,” Mark Winn, Buckinghamshire Council's Cabinet Member for Housing & Regulatory Services, said.
"The sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products can fund wider criminal activity, undermine responsible retailers and pose serious risks to public health.
"Working closely with our partners, we are taking action to tackle criminality wherever it exists and sending a clear message that illegal activity will not be tolerated in Buckinghamshire."
The council said its Trading Standards team will continue to work with partner agencies to identify and tackle illegal activity and maintain fair trading across the county.