£100,000 of illegal items seized in clampdown on store in Smethwick

Around £100,000 of illicit items have been seized from a store in Smethwick as part of a police clamp down on anti-social behaviour.

As part of ASB Awareness Week, officers from West Midlands Police, along with Sandwell Council’s Trading Standards, have thousands of pounds worth of illegal items including a large haul off oversized vapes, chewing tobacco, cannabis sweets and illicit medical products.

Earlier in the week, officers from Sandwell Partnerships Team visited the store after the force received reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB), specifically the use of fireworks.

West Midlands Police said that during the visit, officers also spotted a number of suspected illicit items on sale and returned to take action.

West Midlands Police are working with Sandwell Council Trading Standards to identify shops in the area that are selling counterfeit and illegal products and taking action to disrupt and stop their illegal activity.

This includes conducting intelligence-based inspections, seizing counterfeit and illegal products and potentially pursuing closure orders on stores that persistently ignore the law.

Disposable vapes must have a tank capacity of no more than 2ml and no more than 650 puffs. 

It is likely that anything over 650 puffs will contain more than the legal volume limit and so should not be on sale.

Sargent John Tranter, from the Partnerships Team in Sandwell said: “As part of ASB Awareness Week we have intensified our day-to-day activity around anti-social behaviour.

“We closely with our communities and partners to tackle a range of issues such as stores selling counterfeit products.”

Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Neighbourhoods and Community Councillor Suzanne Hartwell said: "We are working closely with West Midlands Police, other organisations and our communities through the Safer Sandwell Partnership to tackle anti-social behaviour and keep our residents safe.

“The trade in illicit goods is not only harmful to businesses in the borough who are trading legally but also has strong links to other criminal activities. 

"We want Sandwell to be a place where residents, workers and visitors can always feel safe.

“Illegal vapes, tobacco and other medical items can harm our residents' health, so it's vital we restrict their availability and protect our young people from these items. 

"Illicit vapes are dangerous because they haven't gone through safety tests and there can be severe risks including dispensing too much nicotine, banned substances or encouraging over consumption.”