THOUSANDS of illegal vapes and counterfeit and unlicensed drugs have been seized in a £1 million raid by police and trading standards officers of a shop in Birmingham.
West Midlands Police said the raid of the shop, which is located on Erdington High Street, was “one of the biggest seizures of its kind in the city”.
A total of 7,545 vapes were recovered, along with 134kg of tobacco, 329,740 cigarettes and more than 300 boxes of imported prescription drugs, which have not been cleared for use in the UK.
£1,000 cash was also recovered amongst the illegal items which were found hidden behind a fake wall in the shop, as well as in a flat protected by a metal door.
The total value of all of the goods seized during the raid, which took place on Monday, December 30, is believed to be approximately £1 million, West Midlands Police have said.
"Counterfeit and illicit tobacco can be dangerous, as can imported prescription drugs which are not cleared for use in the UK.
"We are committed to working with Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards team, HMRC and other partners to prevent harm to communities in whatever form it takes.”
Councillor Sam Forsyth, Chair of the Licensing and Public Protection Committee at Birmingham City Council, added "This latest seizure demonstrates the continued efforts by all partners to remove dangerous and illicit goods, so they no longer pose a threat within our communities.
"This positive outcome is another step in the right direction towards targeting organised crime groups and we will continue working in partnership with West Midlands Police to protect the public."
West Midlands Police said a number of people were spoken to about the recoveries at the shop and their investigations continue.
Share