THOUSANDS of illegal vapes and cigarettes were seized in police's latest operation to take money away from organised criminals.

Officers from the Batley and Spen Neighbourhood Poling Team and colleagues from West Yorkshire Trading Standards are continuing to investigate after raiding a shop in Birstall town centre this week.  

In a joint operation on Monday, September 23, officers and officials recovered between 2,000 to 3,000 cigarettes and vapes after executing a warrant at a shop.

Illegal vapes can often have higher nicotine content than normal licensed products with cash from sales providing a revenue stream for organised crime.

The seizures were the latest of several such operations in Kirklees so far in 2024 aimed at withdrawing sources of potential revenue from organised criminality.

Inspector Charlotte Nicholls, of the Batley and Spen NPT, said: “It is proven that money raised from illegal vape and tobacco sales can be used to fund organised crime and these illegal products can also be more harmful to public health.

“The vapes can contain higher nicotine content and are not regulated or tested, making them potentially hazardous, especially to young people.

“For these reasons it is really important we act to restrict the sale of such products and take revenue streams away from those who create misery in our communities.”

She added: “None of us want to see organised crime in our neighbourhoods and I encourage residents to keep contacting us with any information which can help us disrupt criminal activity and the sale of illegal goods.”