A Shocking Discovery Inside a Seemingly Ordinary Container
Authorities have seized 30,000 illegal vapes, alongside 28,840 counterfeit cigarettes and 22.65kg of smuggled tobacco, during a coordinated raid in Warrington. The bust—worth an estimated £38,000—was the result of a joint operation targeting organised crime’s grip on the illicit vape trade.
The operation involved Cheshire Police, Trading Standards, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), and Immigration Enforcement, who acted on intelligence that illegal products were being distributed from a shipping container near Marsh House Lane and the Pink Eye roundabout.
Inside the container, officers found boxes stacked with unregulated vape products—many exceeding UK legal nicotine limits and lacking safety certification.
The Operation & Arrests
- The discovery followed searches at two nearby shops suspected of selling counterfeit tobacco and vaping products.
- One illegal worker was detained for immigration offences, while another individual was arrested for public order offences during the operation.
- All seized goods are being examined by Trading Standards officers, and further investigations are ongoing.
“This operation shows our commitment to tackling illegal trade and protecting our communities from unsafe products.
These counterfeit vapes and cigarettes are not only dangerous but fund organised crime.
We urge residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity.”
— Detective Inspector Upile Mtitimila, Cheshire Police
The UK’s illegal vape market has ballooned in recent years, fuelled by high profit margins and weak regulation. Many of the seized products contained nicotine concentrations well beyond the legal 2ml/20mg limit—posing serious health risks.
Authorities say that the profits from such black-market operations often feed into larger criminal networks involved in human trafficking, drug smuggling, and money laundering.
This latest seizure underlines the growing need for tighter border checks and public awareness campaigns on the dangers of unlicensed vaping products.
