25,000 illegal cigarettes found at 'shop of concern' in 'biggest-ever' seizure

Council officials said it was the 'biggest single seizure of its type' in Solihull

Police have seized the "biggest" illegal haul of its kind from one shop in the West Midlands.

Thousands of pounds-worth of illegal vapes, cigarettes and tobacco were impounded from a shop in Castle Bromwich, in what West Midlands Police described as "the biggest haul of its kind".

Officers from the Smith's Wood and Castle Bromwich neighbourhood team joined Solihull Trading Standards to raid the shop on March 7. It was the "biggest single seizure of its type" in Solihull.

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West Midlands Police said officers found more than 25,000 illegal cigarettes and 1,200 vapes as well as 80 bags of tobacco. It said the shop had been an "ongoing matter of concern in the area."

The vapes were recovered so for further examination by police.

The force said the visit was part of ongoing work against illegal and counterfeit vapes and tobacco, which can contain dangerous quantities of harmful substances.

Insp Andy Bridgewater said: "We are delighted with these results; we know this is an ongoing matter of concern in the area, so we hope this reassures people in the north of the borough of how seriously we and our colleagues from the local authority take it.

"Operations like this require information from the public telling us of any suspicious activity they might have seen or heard about."

Coun Wazma Qais, cabinet member for communities at Solihull Council, said: "The visit to this shop in Castle Bromwich has resulted in the seizure of thousands of suspected illegal vapes, cigarettes and packs of hand rolling tobacco.

"This is the biggest single seizure of its type that Solihull Trading Standards has ever been involved in, and is a great example of what can be achieved when our officers and West Midlands Police work in partnership."

Anyone who has concerns about shops selling illegal or counterfeit items can report it via 101 or Live Chat.

Residents who are concerned about a business selling illegal and dangerous products can contact Solihull Council's Trading Standards team by calling Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133.