Illegal cigarettes and vapes seized in shop raid

More than 25,000 illegal cigarettes were seized from a shop in a village in the largest raid of its kind in the area.

Trading Standards officers also discovered 1,200 suspected counterfeit vapes and 80 bags of tobacco during their visit to the shop in Castle Bromwich, in Solihull, on 7 March.

West Midlands Police joined Solihull Trading Standards as part of the force's ongoing campaign against illegal and counterfeit vapes and tobacco.

The vapes have been sent for further examination while inquiries continue, said police.

Inspector Andy Bridgewater said the illegal activity is an ongoing matter of concern in the area.

"We hope this reassures people in the north of the borough of how seriously we and our colleagues from the local authority take it.

"Operations like this require information from the public telling us of any suspicious activity they might have seen or heard about," he added.

West Midlands Police said anyone with concerns about shops selling illegal or counterfeit items can report it via 101.

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