Illegal vapes, worth more than £15,000 have been seized during a crackdown operation locally.
Durham County Council’s Trading Standards team targeted shops in the east of the county suspected to be selling counterfeit cigarettes and vape products that do not meet legal requirements.
Working in partnership with Durham Constabulary, officers seized a total of 1196 suspected illegal vapes worth approximately £15,300.
The team also seized 49 packets of cigarettes suspected to be counterfeit and valued at £245. If genuine, the value of the cigarettes would have been £539.
If you have any information regarding potential criminality in your community then please report it – the police will always act on intelligence submitted. Call 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Information about the sale of illicit tobacco can be given anonymously, either by calling 0300 999 000 or visiting www.keep-it-out.co.uk