£50k in illegal vapes and tobacco found at nine shops in Oldham

Two sniffer dogs helped find £50,000 in illegal tobacco products in Oldham.

The council’s Trading Standards department, HM Revenue and Customs and the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) joined forces for a two-day operation to take illicit cigerettes, rolling tobacco and vapes off the streets. 

Trained canines Skye and Louie helped locate more than 78,000 illegally-imported cigarettes; 11kg of hand-rolling tobacco; and 2,578 non-compliant disposable vapes in Oldham.

The raids on nine shops follows calls for tighter crackdowns on illegal vapes, following reports of children being sold unlicensed products.

A council spokesperson said traders who sell illegal products ‘often go to great lengths to conceal their contraband’. But dogs are specially trained to detect counterfeit tobacco products., they added.

Councillor Chris Goodwin, Oldham council’s cabinet member responsible for public protection, said: “Smoking, the harm it does and the trade in illegal tobacco has sadly been around for years. But over the last few years we’ve seen more and more illegal vapes on our streets.

“Not only do they contain illegal amount of nicotine but they are also being targeted at young people, and that’s not on. It’s also against the law to sell a vape to anyone under 18. We’ll continue to carry on raids and seizures across the borough and if you can help us, please get in touch.”

The council has urged members of the public to report shops selling illegal tobacco and vapes to Crimestoppers, anoymously, on 0800 555 111.