£8,500 in Illegal Vapes and Fakes Seized in Bromsgrove Raid
Big Bust Hits Bromsgrove Mini Market
Police and Trading Standards officers swooped on a Bromsgrove store today (Tuesday 28 November), seizing an estimated £8,500 worth of illegal vapes, counterfeit cigarettes, and tobacco.
The operation targeted a mini market on The Strand and checked premises on Church Street and the High Street following tips from the public and local schools about illegal sales, including to underage kids.
Illegal Stash Found Hidden in Store
The haul included £4,500 worth of illicit vapes and £4,000 of fake cigarettes and tobacco. Officers discovered the dodgy goods stashed both beneath the counter and hidden under plinths inside the shop before confiscating them.
Police Crackdown Targets Organised Crime
Police Sergeant Steve O’Neill of Bromsgrove Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “Today we acted on community concerns about illegal sales of counterfeit cigarettes, tobacco, and illegal vapes.”
“This joint operation with Trading Standards was a success, uncovering a large amount of high-value counterfeit products following solid intelligence. These goods were destined for black market sales linked to organised crime groups. Taking them off the streets protects the public and disrupts wider criminal networks impacting our community.”
Operation Target Continues Fight Against Crime
The raid is part of Operation Target, a coordinated effort with partner forces to tackle serious and organised crime across the region.
For more on the ongoing campaign, follow #OpTarget on social media.
