Southampton City Council Trading Standards has seized counterfeit and illicit vapes, cigarettes, watches, handbags and scarves with a combined value of more than £100,000 during inspections of two local businesses.
A selection of the counterfeit items seized (image credit: Southampton City Council)
Working alongside officers from Hampshire Police on 7 September, the Southampton team visited premises in St Mary’s where they found ‘a significant amount of counterfeit and unsafe goods’ including more than 1,700 illegal vapes and 2,000 illicit cigarettes. Several individuals involved in illegal trading activities were arrested, and prosecutions against the businesses are in preparation.
Councillor Toqeer Kataria, Southampton City Council Cabinet Member for Compliance and Leisure, said: “The success of these trading standards raids can be attributed to the diligent investigative work and swift action taken by the Southampton City Council Trading Standards team in collaboration with Hampshire Police. By targeting the sources of illicit trading activities and removing harmful products from circulation, these efforts have undoubtedly safeguarded the public from potential harm.”
