More than 500 unlawful vapes had been found within the busts throughout Telford & Wrekin.
Some of these uncovered contained 16 occasions the authorized quantity of nicotine.
Almost 1,500 packs of illicit cigarettes and 100 packs of tobacco had been additionally recovered within the raids which had been carried out by Telford & Wrekin Council and West Mercia Police.
Detection dogs, Bran and Griff, had been used within the searches and sniffed out the stashes hidden in hid compartments and beneath the counter in outlets throughout the borough.
Councillor Richard Overton, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes & Enforcement stated: “As a result of intelligence our trading standards officers joined forces with West Mercia Police to carry out a series of raids on shops believed to be selling fake and illegal goods.
“Those responsible had gone to great lengths to conceal the products but our sniffer dogs are highly trained and will pick up the scent no matter where the stash is hidden.
“This was a very successful operation which has led to significant quantities of illicit goods being confiscated and prevented from falling into the hands of unsuspecting members of the public.
“It’s particularly concerning that some vapes contained about 10,000 puffs when the legal limit is 600 and we know that rates of vaping among young people in the borough are on the rise.
“Our investigations will continue and further action against the shop owners is likely to follow. We will continue to work with partners and act on intelligence received to stamp out this crime, so I urge people to report any suspicions they have.”
People in Telford and Wrekin can report these suspected of promoting faux or unlawful items on the confidential client helpline on 0808 223 1133.
