Southampton: Police seize dangerous vapes and illegal tobacco in raids

VAPES with illegal levels of nicotine, fake tobacco, and bottles of alcohol have been seized from shops in a series of raids by police and the city council.

Officers were seen taking away bags full of products confiscated from three shops on St Mary Street in Southampton.

Items were seized from East European Market, LIL Amsterdam, and European Grocery & Fruit Ltd.

READ MORE: Cans of Stella and tobacco seized from shops in St Mary's Officers seized items from European Grocery & Fruit Ltd (Image: Shivalika Puri)

A specialist search dog helped root out products - with officers removing illegal vapes and tobacco products from the shops.

Beer, wine, and spirits were taken from one shop that was not licenced to sell alcohol

The raids have caused concern among residents.

READ MORE: Hampshire man creates vape detector to tackle vaping in schools

Police officers were seen at St Mary Street on Tuesday (Image: Newsquest)

One man, who works at Master Fryers fish and chip shop, said: "Police were here even before we opened.

"But this is not the first time they have come around.

"I’ve seen them investigating shop owners five times before."

Another person who witnessed the incident added: "I live near the shops, and we see the police come and go.

"I hope they find what they are looking for and keep us safe."

READ MORE: Two major supermarkets remove vape products from shelves amid urgent health concern

Officers seized illegal vapes and tobacco (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: "Officers from Southampton's Bargate and Bevois Neighbourhood Policing Team have been assisting Trading Standards following reports of the sale of tobacco and vapes in shops in the St Mary Street area.

"Trading Standards and local officers have visited and engaged with a number of shop owners in the local area, where a quantity of tobacco, vape, and alcohol products were seized." Frank, a specialist search dog helped the police and the council with their investigation (Image: Southampton City Council)

Southampton City Council added: "Southampton City Council's trading standards service, working with Hampshire Police and supported by Frank, a specialist search dog, removed significant quantities of illegal vapes and tobacco products from three retail premises in St Mary Street.

"Officers also found beer, wines, and spirits on one of the premises, which was not licenced for the sale of alcohol.

"The tobacco products were illegal due to the avoidance of duty and, in some cases, were counterfeit.

"The illegal vapes contained excessive amounts of nicotine and are not permitted for sale in the UK.

"Although vaping is seen as a preferable alternative to smoking for adults, there is concern about the rise in vaping by children and the ready availability of illegal tobacco and vaping products."

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