Illegal vapes and counterfeit cigarettes worth an estimated total of £8,500 were seized from a Malvern store on Wednesday in a partnership operation.
Officers from Malvern Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) supported partners at Worcestershire Trading Standards on a visit to Yellow Shop on Graham Road.
The visit followed community concerns around the suspected illegal selling of vapes and illicit tobacco at the premises. Officers discovered the products were being sold from the premises which were seized by Trading Standards officers.
They seized illegal vapes with an estimated street value of £1750 plus illicit tobacco and counterfeit cigarettes with an estimated value of £6700 as part of their investigation. Police officers also seized a bladed article.
The operation forms part of a week of action in Malvern, shining a light on the work the town’s officers do every day to protect and serve the community.
Police Sergeant Geraint Perkins, of Malvern SNT, said: “Acting upon community concerns we carried out a highly successful partnership operation with multiple illegal cigarettes and vapes taken off our streets, halting criminal activity and safeguarding our communities.
“The sale of counterfeit cigarettes and illegal vapes are linked to organised crime gangs. We will not tolerate any criminal operations in our area and urge anyone with information about them to report it via our website at Report A Crime .”
Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting https://crimestoppers-uk.org/.
