Illegal vapes and tobacco worth nearly £11,000 seized in Malvern

Police have seized illegal vapes and tobacco worth nearly £11,000 were seized from two shops in Malvern.

Officers visited the shops as part of a joint operation with Worcestershire Trading Standards on Wednesday (18 September).

In one store, £8,900 worth of illegal vapes were found on display and were seized by Trading Standards.

In another in Malvern town centre, officers discovered £2,000 worth of illegal and non-duty paid tobacco.

Inspector Dave Wise, of Malvern and Wychavon SNT, said: “The sale of illegal vapes and tobacco is often linked to organised crime and the operation on Wednesday will both be disruptive to these gangs but also it will stop the sale of them to children and adults.

“We attended these two premises following intelligence received from members of our community who do not want criminal activity in our town. I continue to ask people to share any information or concerns they have to the police”.

Worcestershire Trading Standards will now take further action against the two shops and will work with Malvern Hills District Council to prosecute the offenders.

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