More than 3,800 non-compliant disposable vapes, counterfeit jewellery and clothing worth over £50,000 have been seized from a premises in Ashington by officers from Northumberland County Council’s Trading Standards Service.
Officers attended the business premises in Ashington after intelligence indicated that the shop was supplying non-compliant disposable vaping products with puff counts over ten times the legal limit. During the search they also found counterfeit watches from well-known brands such as Omega, Rolex, Breitling and Hublot along with counterfeit clothing and handbags.
The business, which can’t currently be named for legal reasons, is now under criminal investigation, Northumberland County Council stated on Monday (15).
The council is now appealing to all retailers in the county to check their existing stocks of vapes to ensure they are legally compliant and to be vigilant when purchasing any new stock. Consumers who buy these products are also encouraged to be aware of what the law requires to keep themselves safe.
Councillor Gordon Stewart, cabinet member for Looking after our Communities said, "The rise in popularity of vaping has resulted in some products being rushed onto the UK market or diverted from other overseas markets which may not be legal for sale in the UK.
“Our Trading Standards officers are working hard to get these hazardous vaping products off the shelves.
“We are concerned about the high volume of devices found that fail to meet the required safety standards and urge consumers to always check products meet safety requirements, so they are not putting their health at unnecessary risk.”
“The seizure of counterfeit goods is also a fantastic result from our Trading Standards team. Selling counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime. Shoppers are ripped off, confidence in legitimate brands is undermined and the supply and sale of fake items is known to fund all sorts of organised crime.
“We hope this latest seizure sends a clear message to those who engage in illegal trading - our teams are working hard to protect consumers and legitimate businesses and it will not be tolerated in Northumberland.”
