Three shops in Stoke-on-Trent are under investigation after thousands of illegal cigarettes and vapes were found.

Trading Standards and officers from Staffordshire Police raided three shops in Meir following reports of underage sales of illegal vapes and tobacco to children as young as 12. 

A total of 1,084 packets of cigarettes, over 1,500 vapes and 165 large pouches of rolling tobacco were seized during the joint operation and several people with no right to work in the UK, and other immigration issues, were also found. Their cases passed to the Home Office.

Inspector Rebecca Price, from the Stoke South local policing team, said: "We're working closely with the city council and wider partners in Stoke-on-Trent to tackle issues affecting local communities as part of our ongoing Making Great Places initiative.

"Retailers not complying with the law and putting local people at risk of harm are being targeted robustly on a proactive basis as part of this commitment, and I can assure local communities that similar enforcement alongside our colleagues will continue." 

The retail value was estimated at more than £20,000, plus more than £12,000 in evaded duty.

The premises are now under investigation, and are facing possible criminal prosecutions including under the Licensing Act.

The operation is the latest across the city that resulted in 13 shops being closed in the last 12 months, and forms part of Operation Cece, which is a National Trading Standards initiative in Partnership with HMRC to tackle illegal tobacco.

Councillor Amjid Wazir OBE - Stoke-on-Trent City Council's cabinet member for city pride, enforcement and sustainability - said: "We will not tolerate the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes, which put residents at risk and cheat the taxpayer out of public money.

"Our Trading Standards teams are working round the clock to get illegal tobacco and vapes off the streets, and out of the hands of children. All forming part of corporate strategy and specifically helping to reclaim our streets."

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