Police discover around £1 million worth of illicit and counterfeit vapes in Cheetham Hill.
Operation Vulcan joined the Home Office Immigration Enforcement and Salford City Council for a warrant for the vape shop.
The vape shop shop located on Rugby Street, Cheetham Hill where the huge haul of the shop for £1 million worth of counterfeit vapes.
The officers entered where they noticed a hidden door in the shop.
The hidden door revealed to officers a whole new room, that was concealing the illicit vapes.
Operation Vulcan was launched in the autumn of 2022, with the Greater Manchester Police hoping to clear areas of Cheetham Hill and Strangeways of the counterfeit goods trade.
The operation has since shut down over 200 counterfeit shops in the area, which has already dropped violent crime and public order offences by 50%.
Following the haul of the shops Police Sergeant Joseph Dunne from Operation Vulcan said: “I hope this activity sends a clear message to those seeking to exploit the area with their criminal enterprises.”
He continued to add: “This seizure today is a great result for Operation Vulcan and our partners as it means thousands of potentially harmful products have been taken off the streets of Greater Manchester.
“Our joint activity will continue as a show of strength to the criminals, and to reassure the community that we remain committed to protecting them.”
The seizing of over £1 million of vapes will be vital for the protection of neighbourhoods within the city, as Councillor Barbara Bentham, lead member for environment and community safety, added: “The seizure and removal of the illegal vapes is a clear message to all wholesalers and retailers.
“We do not tolerate this type of criminal activity and will continue to work with GMP and partners, to eradicate any further incidents.”
Cllr. Bentham continued to add: “Supplying illegal vapes and tobacco products to the public undermines our efforts to protect our communities and helps to fund a variety of criminal activities.
“It can undercut and undermine the reputation of our local retailers who operate legally to provide goods and services across the city.”
More information on the seizure of counterfeit vapes can be found here
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