A major haul of illicit tobacco products including vapes has been seized from an Ayrshire shop.
According to local reports, officers found 18 pouches of illegal tobacco, 59 packets of counterfeit cigarettes and 302 dodgy vape products in a store in Irvine. The store was raided by Police and Trading Standards as part of a crackdown on young people acquiring vape products – despite being under the legal purchase age of 18.
The multi-agency day of action was carried out by Preventions & Interventions Officer PC Jenner who was joined by Steven Bodys of North Ayrshire Trading Standards. The taskforce patrolled the town checking several stores for their age verification methods and the types of Nicotine Vapour Products sold.
Illegal cigarettes and vapes are also seized from a premise in Weymouth. Officers from the Weymouth and Portland Neighbourhood Policing team alongside Dorset Council trading standards seized contraband cigarettes and vapes which were far over the 600 breath limit.
The items were seized by police and will be destroyed. A spokesperson for Weymouth and Portland Police said: “Weymouth Neighbourhood Policing Team have attended premises in Melcombe Regis today with our partners from licensing and Dorset Council trading standards.
“This was in response to ongoing concerns around vapes and cigarettes being sold to our young people in Weymouth.
“Upon entering the premises we discovered a large quantity of contraband cigarettes and a significant quantity of vapes, far over the legal 600 breath limit. All these items have been seized for destruction.
“Trading Standards Officers have powers under Schedule 5 to the Consumer Rights Act 2015. A TSO’s main powers include the power to enter premises, powers of inspection and powers to secure or seize material that might be required in evidence:
“Today’s visit demonstrates our ongoing commitment to safeguarding our children in Weymouth against the distribution of illegal tobacco products.”
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