Vaping issues increasing as illegal products seized

Operation Firecrest, which was launched in October 2023, has seen closure orders issued against more than 50 premises selling illegal vapes and tobacco products, mainly in the Newport area.

They can include fake or counterfeit goods traded illegally, products with higher levels of nicotine than the legal limit, or containing other unknown substances.

Ch Insp Stevie Warden said: “You may look at vapes as a simple nuisance, but it’s not.

“If that £2m… had gone into feed the organised crime gangs, it would have a huge effect on the persons within our community.”

BBC Wales was invited along to a recent enforcement visit, where police and trading standards officers searched a vape shop in Newport for suspected illegal goods.

The visit unearthed dozens of illegal vapes found hidden in secret shelves, both in the shop front and a back room.

Clare Montgomery-Brown, a police community support officer (PCSO) who has been on many such unannounced visits, said illegal tobacco supplies and vapes were found “more often than not”.

“They’re not on display, they’re very clever,” she said.

“What we’re finding now is that they’re getting more sneaky, in terms of where they’re hiding it.”

In a briefing at Pill Police Station, officers were told they would be visiting three Newport premises – all at once, to reduce the risk others are alerted.

On arrival at the site visited by the largest team, there was a man smoking outside – he said he spoke little English, but was looking after the shop for a friend.

A woman appeared a moment later and also told officers she was helping out, but was not the owner.