A coordinated series of enforcement operations across England has led to the seizure of thousands of illegal vaping and tobacco products, as local authorities and police forces step up efforts to curb the black market.
In London, Hounslow Council’s Trading Standards team, working with Metropolitan Police officers, carried out test purchases and raids across the borough, uncovering large quantities of unregistered and overstrength vapes alongside counterfeit cigarettes and shisha.
Officers confiscated more than 4,800 illegal vapes, worth around £30,000, in raids on 16 premises across Chiswick, Feltham and Hounslow High Street. The seizures also included 3,800 illegal cigarettes, 16kg of shisha, and 11kg of chewing tobacco, according to Hounslow Council.
The vapes were found to breach UK regulations on tank size, nicotine strength and product registration.
Councillor Pritam Grewal, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement, said the sale of unregulated products “harms our communities and puts the health of our residents at risk.”
“These products are unregulated, unsafe, and can cause young people to become addicted to nicotine,” Grewal said. “We will continue to take firm action against those who seek to profit at the expense of public health and community safety.”
The Hounslow seizures coincided with Operation Machinize, a National Crime Agency-led initiative targeting the illegal trade in vapes and tobacco, and its links to money laundering and organised crime. Police and Trading Standards teams across Essex, Thames Valley and Suffolk reported finding illicit products hidden in retail premises, vehicles and storage units.
Illegal vapes and tobacco worth over £60,000 seized from Essex businessesPhoto: Essex Police
Essex Police said officers recovered 98,500 cigarettes, 47.5kg of hand-rolling tobacco, and 3,141 vapes, with an estimated total value exceeding £60,000. An additional £6,000 in cash believed to be linked to criminal activity was also seized.
Detective Chief Inspector Terry Balding of Essex Police said: “This sends a clear message to criminals: those exploiting legitimate businesses for illegal gain will be found and prosecuted. More than 80 per cent of the premises we visited had issues regarding the sale of illegal products – with the further intelligence we’ve gathered that number will only increase.”
Further actions in High Wycombe and Suffolk also revealed compliance breaches and resulted in arrests, fines and licensing referrals, alongside the seizure of illegal vapes and tobacco.
Thames Valley Police seized 114 illegal vapes and 74 untaxed tobacco pouches from shops in High Wycombe during joint visits with Trading Standards and licensing officers. In Suffolk, a related operation led to four arrests, multiple business fines, and a fire safety prohibition notice, as part of wider efforts to tackle the “grey economy” and modern slavery risks linked to illicit trade.
Authorities warn that unregulated products not only breach safety standards but also undermine legitimate retailers operating within the UK’s strict regulatory framework. Counterfeit and illicit vapes can contain unknown and harmful substances, while profits from their sale are often linked to wider criminal activity.
Trading Standards teams continue to encourage retailers and members of the public to report suspicious sales through council hotlines or the Citizens Advice consumer helpline.
Suspected tobacco fraud can also be reported to HMRC on 0800 788 887 or through the ‘Report Fraud HMRC’ service on GOV.UK.