Liverpool City Council recently made its largest seizure of illicit goods from a single premises to date, removing over 30,000 items from a wholesaler in Old Swan. Working in collaboration with Merseyside Police, the Council’s Public Protection team confiscated 7,700 vapes and 23,400 cigarettes with a total value of £105,000. These unregulated products were destined to be sold to local businesses in the area, posing a potential risk to consumers.
During an inspection, it was discovered that the seized goods did not meet regulatory standards and could potentially be hazardous to public health. As a result, the premises in Old Swan received a warning and may face closure if any further criminal activity is identified. The sale of vapes is governed by the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, which impose restrictions on factors such as tank capacity, nicotine content, and e-liquid strength to protect consumers from harmful substances.
In a previous incident, over 4,600 illicit vapes were confiscated from a store in L8, marking another significant seizure of unauthorized goods. In 2024, the Council confiscated more than 135,000 illegal cigarettes and vapes from various locations across Liverpool. Any vapes seized by the enforcement team are sent for recycling by an authorized contractor based in Manchester, as part of the Council’s efforts to combat the sale of illicit products and ensure public safety.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing, and Culture, commended the team for swiftly removing thousands of potentially dangerous goods from the market. He emphasized the importance of purchasing vaping products from reputable retailers to avoid exposure to harmful ingredients found in illicit goods. Merseyside Police Local Policing Constable Graeme Brannagan also expressed satisfaction with the joint operation, urging the public to report any suspicions of illegal goods to help maintain community safety through ongoing enforcement actions
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