Hundreds of cannabis lollipops, counterfeit cigarettes, illegal vapes, and unregulated Thai energy drinks were seized during a crackdown in the heart of Newcastle. Police and Newcastle City Council trading standards officers were spotted around the Bigg Market on the morning of Tuesday, June 16.
The authorities confirmed the operation was launched following intelligence on the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes in some city centre shops. Northumbria Police later told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that it seized 1,172 suspected cannabis lollipops during raids on ten stores.
They also uncovered unregulated energy drinks from Thailand which were concealed in empty soft drink cans, appearing from the outside to look like well-known brands such as Coca Cola. The force said that, with the help of specially-trained sniffer dogs, they also took 319 single use vapes and a haul of counterfeit cigarettes.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson confirmed: “We saw some brilliant results earlier this week – thanks to a multi-agency operation to crackdown on counterfeit goods in Newcastle city centre. On Tuesday (June 16), our neighbourhood policing team took to the streets with colleagues from Newcastle City Council’s Trading Standards team. This followed recent intelligence around the sale of illicit goods in some stores, particularly items which could be harmful and unsafe for members of the public. They visited ten premises throughout the targeted activity, with support from keen-nosed specially trained Trading Standards dogs.
“As a result of their collaborative efforts, this led to 1172 suspected cannabis lollipops being seized, as well as unregulated energy drinks from Thailand which were concealed in soft drink cans. Around 319 illegal single use vapes were also discovered during the searches, as well as a haul of counterfeit cigarettes. Enquiries remain ongoing with partner agencies, and we’re pleased to take such items out of circulation. Aside from the obvious risks to health and safety, we know that items like this are often linked to wider organised crime. Anyone with information can send us a direct message on social media, or use live chat and report forms on our website. Those unable to make contact in these ways can call 101. You can also report into your local authority’s Trading Standards team.”
Newcastle City Council said that it would “always act on intelligence received” and that its investigations linked to Tuesday’s searches continue. A council spokesperson added: “Newcastle Trading Standards in conjunction with Northumbria Police took part in a targeted operation on premises in the city centre. This stemmed from intelligence received about the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes.”
