Tameside Council Trading Standards have seized almost half and million pounds worth of illegal vapes and tobacco products, as well as counterfeit designer clothing and footwear, during raids of three premises in Ashton.
Supported by officers from Greater Manchester Police and specialist tobacco detection dogs supplied by Wagtails, the Trading Standards team discovered the stashes on 19 September as part of the wider Operation Avro initiative, which targets crime and anti-social behaviour in Greater Manchester.
The premises were visited following reports of suspicious and potentially illegal activity and investigations are ongoing.
The seized goods, which are worth an estimated £460,000, include counterfeit clothing, sportswear, trainers and fragrances and illicit vapes, cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco.
Tameside Council Assistant Executive Member for Enforcement, Councillor Hugh Roderick, said: “This is a great result thanks to collaborative efforts of our Trading Standards team working with our partners. Appropriate action will be taken against the offenders involved. The trade in counterfeit and illicit goods supports crime rings, hurts hard working legitimate businesses and puts consumers at risk.
“We’ll continue to work closely with our partners to address issues of concern to our communities and to make Tameside safer for everyone.”
