- £386k of illegal vapes, cigarettes and fakes seized in Manchester crackdown.
- Raids found £55k in illicit goods in targeted shops.
- Authorities vow tough action to protect health and retailers.
A City of Manchester partnership operation launched in June has seized over £386,000 worth of illegal vapes, cigarettes and counterfeit goods, with the latest raid uncovering £55,000 worth of illegal products, the authorities reported on Friday (Aug 22).
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers have been working together with Manchester City Council Trading Standards and visiting multiple premises in key localities. The operation was also joined by two dogs who specialise in detection dogs for a range of things including tobacco.
"Earlier this week saw a day of action as part of our ongoing Safe4Summer initiative which focused on multiple premises on Stockport Road and Hyde Road to get illegal items off the streets and stop them from being sold into local communities.
"Prior to the day of action, Manchester City Council Trading Standards team conducted test purchase operations to pinpoint those shops that were suspected of selling illicit tobacco," GMP stated.
During this day of action earlier this week, almost £55, 000 worth of products were seized including:
• £24,600 of illegal vapes
• £4,000 illegal cigarettes
• £18,632.26 of counterfeit goods
Councillor Garry Bridges, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said, "We have an incredibly productive partnership with GMP as we continue to ensure that illegal goods are kept off our streets.
"In recent years the prevalence of illegal tobacco and non-compliant vapes has been high on our watch list. They post a risk to the public, make it harder for people to give up smoking and funnel money into the pockets of criminals.
"I'd like to thank our Trading Standards officers for their continued diligence in working to clamp down on illegal behaviour and express my gratitude towards our colleagues in GMP for their support in keeping our neighbourhoods crime-free."
PC Francesca Hooley, City of Manchester Central District Intelligence Unit said, "Working in partnership with Trading Standards, we have visited over 50 shops during the past two days of action.
“We know this will have a real impact on illegal operations uncovered in the area and sends a clear message that we will not tolerate this. We are determined that those profiting from the unlawful sales of tobacco and related products will be dealt with accordingly.
Detective Inspector Chris Woodburn, City of Manchester Central District Intelligence Unit said, “The team have worked tirelessly alongside Trading Standards along with assistance from the ASBAT team which has seen fantastic seizures.
"Illegal vapes and cigarettes fund wider crime, harm public health and undermine legitimate retailers. They do not belong on our streets, and in the hands of our community. We will continue to take robust action to tackle this organised criminal trade that harms our communities to make sure they feel safe where they live."