Joint action removes dangerous goods
A coordinated enforcement drive between Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards team and West Midlands Police has seized thousands of illicit products in a city-wide crackdown on illegal trade and anti-social behaviour.
The raids – part of the ongoing Operation Cloud and force-wide – targeted multiple commercial premises and associated vehicles in Birmingham earlier this month.
Officers recovered 40 large nitrous oxide canisters, more than 780 illicit vapes, 1,980 counterfeit cigarettes, 115 packets of oral snuff, nearly 50 unsafe counterfeit inflatable toys, and 125 sachets of unlicensed erectile dysfunction medicine.
A concealed compartment containing further nitrous oxide canisters and illicit tobacco was discovered at one premises. A male suspect was arrested, and the council is now pursuing a closure order under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Repeat offenders targeted
The same premises in Kings Heath had been raided in November 2024. Last month’s visit marked a second major seizure, prompting the three-month closure order.
Elsewhere, further enforcement actions in Erdington, supported by a trained detection dog, uncovered 1,666 illegal vapes, 5,624 packets of illicit cigarettes – equating to 112,480 cigarette sticks – and 992 counterfeit tobacco pouches, with a combined street value of around £125,000. A vehicle storing illegal goods was also seized.
Since its launch in September 2024, Operation Cloud has removed nearly £7 million worth of illegal goods from circulation. The operation targets products that pose serious risks to public health, including illicit vapes, nitrous oxide, and counterfeit tobacco. Enforcement has intensified following the national ban on single-use vapes introduced on 1 June 2025.
Police and council praise partnership
Councillor Jamie Tennant, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities, said the results showed the value of joint operations:
“Illegal goods like these are not only dangerous to health – especially for young people – but also fuel wider criminality and anti-social behaviour. We will continue to take robust action to protect our communities and uphold the law.”
He added that many seized products were deliberately marketed to children, undermining community wellbeing and harming local businesses.
Chief Superintendent Tom Joyce, of Birmingham Police, described the joint raids as “a fantastic day of really high-profile activity” that combined resources from across policing teams:
“This is all about making our town centres safe and welcoming for everyone, while making them hostile places for anyone wanting to commit crime. Advance will return later this year, but our officers will continue working 24/7 to make Birmingham safer.”
Call for public support
Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards team has now seized over 14,000 illegal or non-compliant vapes as part of Operation Cloud. Residents are urged to report suspicious sales or activity to Trading Standards on 0121 303 9360 or West Midlands Police on 101.
Authorities say the latest action sends a clear message: Birmingham will not tolerate the illegal trade of harmful goods, and coordinated enforcement will continue to target those undermining public
