Illegal vapes and cigarettes worth £84k seized in Chorley and Preston

Illegal vapes and cigarettes worth £84,000 have been seized from three "problem premises" during a "day of action", Trading Standards has said.

Officers from Lancashire County Council and police seized over 5,600 packs of illegal tobacco and over-sized vapes in raids in Chorley and Preston.

Some were found "in a number of hiding places, including under floorboards".

Police said it was "concerning these types of dangerous products could get into the hands of young people".

"This was a huge seizure and it sends out a really strong message that we will continue to crackdown on the sale of illegal and counterfeit products," PC Nichola Lewis said.

Councillor Michael Green, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for health and wellbeing said: "Preventing the sale of illicit goods keeps children safe from underage sales and protects the health of residents in Lancashire, which is very important to us.

"Our Trading Standards team will continue to keep seizing illicit tobacco and non-compliant vapes and will take any necessary enforcement action against rogue traders."

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]