Cumbria Police seize 1,400 illegal vapes and arrest six in high street crime raid
Police also made six arrests
Police officers seized more than 1,400 illegal vapes in Cumbria this week.
As well as the 1,442 illicit vapes taken from mini-marts, car washes and nail shops, police seized cigarettes and counterfeit clothes and made arrests.
This joint operation, by Cumbria Police and Immigration Compliance and Enforcement and Trading Standards in Westmorland and Furness Council, was targeted at high street crime, including illegal sale of products and immigration offences.
DI Sam Johnson said: “Not only are illegal vapes a significant health concern, but those supplying them are breaching the law, which could lead to penalties such as imprisonment and substantial fines.
“Businesses selling such goods are also linked to Serious Organised Crime, the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and are associated with wider issues such as violence and anti-social behaviour.
“Illegal workers are frequently paid less than those working legitimately. This not only undermines opportunities for others, but also puts these people at risk of exploitation from employers."
Four arrests were made in Barrow-in-Furness (relating to breach of bail conditions) and two in Workington (relating to immigration offences) over the course of the two-day operation.