More than 1,100 illegal vapes seized on Anglesey

North Wales Live

02-07-2025

More than 1,100 illegal vapes have been seized from two retail premises in Holyhead. It follows a joint operation by Anglesey County Council and North Wales Police.
The vapes seized during "Operation Jackal" had an estimated retail value of £6,500. Of those seized, 404 vapes were voluntarily surrendered by the businesses, an Anglesey County Council statement said.
It added: "Following further investigation 42 vapes were returned as they complied with current regulations. The non-compliant vapes were subsequently destroyed.
"The operation coincided with Welsh Government ban of single use vapes on 1 June 2025. Under the new law, it is now illegal for businesses in Wales to sell or supply any single-use or disposable vapes. All vaping devices must now be both rechargeable and refillable to be legally sold or distributed.
"Beyond environmental harm, single use vapes pose significant health risks, particularly to children and young people. These devices often contain high levels of nicotine and appealing flavours, making them attractive to underage users."
Anglesey Council 's Planning, Public Protection and Climate Change Portfolio Holder, Councillor Nicola Roberts, said: 'Our Trading Standards Team continue to work tirelessly with North Wales Police, and other partner agencies, to help take illegal and harmful products off our streets.'
She added: 'Protecting people from potentially harmful products is of utmost importance as we seek to safeguard the well-being of the public.'
North Wales Police Anglesey District Support Sergeant, Chris Burrow, said: 'We will continue to work closely with Trading Standards and other partners to protect the health and wellbeing of the community, and especially young people.
'Multi-agency operations such as this show the value of partnership working and sharing resources to investigate and combat serious and organised crime.
'The supply of illegal tobacco products through organised criminal networks is often linked to other criminal activity, which is why it's important we continue to disrupt against the illegal tobacco product business.
'I would encourage community members who have concerns about suspected illegal activity in their local town centres to contact police or trading standards, or report anonymously via Crimestoppers.'
Anglesey council and North Wales Police said they will continue to carry out enforcement activity to support businesses in understanding their responsibilities and to prevent the sale of illegal or harmful products in our communities.
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