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Illegal vapes and cigarettes seized from shop

Devon and Cornwall Police Hundreds of suspected illegal vapes and counterfeit cigarettes lined up on a wooden desk. The boxed vapes come in a variety of different colours. Computer, a keyboard and a phone can be seen at the back of the desk inside an office.Devon and Cornwall Police
Police said the items were a potential risk to human health

Suspected illegal vapes and counterfeit cigarettes have been seized from a shop in a Devon town, police said.

Devon and Cornwall Police said neighbourhood policing team officers seized the items from a shop on The Parade in Exmouth on Wednesday.

Mat Helm, Exmouth and Ottery neighbourhood inspector, said he understood the cost-of-living implications, but said it must never be at a risk to public safety.

"These products are a potential risk to human health, may contain increased levels of harmful chemicals or toxins and do not have the safety checks to confirm they are fit for human consumption," he said.

"Equally the illegal import of these items evades UK taxes such as VAT and this may be associated with modern day slavery, as well as funding major crime both in the UK and abroad."

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