UK trading standards seize illegal tobacco and vape products in shop raids

Police and North Somerset Trading Standards officers seized about £10,000 worth of illegal tobacco and counterfeit vapes from a shop in Weston‑super‑Mare. The raid uncovered 304 packets of cigarettes, 4.4 kg of hand‑rolling tobacco and 23 illegal vapes, most of which were counterfeit. Shop owner Naseh Mahmoodi was sentenced to a 12‑month community order, ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, pay £8,500 toward investigation costs and a victim surcharge, and faced a forfeiture order for the seized goods.

Separately, Sheffield City Council’s trading standards team seized counterfeit goods valued at roughly £5,000 from three city‑centre shops, along with a large quantity of illegal tobacco and vapes. Items removed included phone cases, accessories, toys and gadgets. The council is pursuing legal action against the retailers and emphasised the need to protect young people from harmful products, urging legitimate sourcing and proper labelling of vape items.