UK cities crackdown on illegal tobacco and vaping sales

In Coventry, police and Trading Standards officers carried out Operation Stance across several High Street stores, seizing hundreds of counterfeit cigarettes, illegal vaping products and over 140 bags of Class B drugs. Two men were arrested on suspicion of drug supply and a third was detained for immigration offences. Officials said the illegal sale of counterfeit goods fuels organised crime and poses a threat to the community.

In Nottingham, two convenience stores – Grab & Go and All In One – received three‑month closure orders after joint investigations uncovered illegal cigarettes and non‑compliant vaping products. A 35‑year‑old man received a police caution for selling 87 packets of illicit tobacco, and officers seized large quantities of counterfeit goods. Authorities highlighted the public‑health risks, tax evasion, and the importance of protecting legitimate retailers.