Birmingham’s council and police have seized nearly £6 million in illegal vapes, tobacco, and drugs in a major crackdown to protect local communities
One raid was particularly impressive, recovering £1 million in goods. This operation, called Operation Cloud, started last September. It’s all about cleaning up the streets and making Birmingham safer.
During the raids, officers found hidden items behind fake walls and in secured flats. So far, eight arrests have been made, and they even seized an unlicensed vehicle.
In Erdington, they found a staggering amount of illegal goods. This included over 7,500 vapes and hundreds of thousands of cigarettes. Some of the prescription drugs were unsafe for use in the UK.
The council is serious about this. They’ve already taken thousands of items off the streets. This includes over 10,000 illicit vapes and nearly 19,000 packets of cigarettes.
The goal is to improve life for everyone in Birmingham. They want to tackle the sale of harmful products, especially those targeting young people.
Coun Nicky Brennan emphasized the dangers of illegal vapes. Some have puff counts way over the legal limit, which is concerning for young users.
The council is committed to working with the police to keep the community safe. They’re determined to disrupt the illegal trade and protect local residents.
