Over 36,000 illegal products, including vapes and e-liquids which contained more than legally permitted levels of nicotine have been seized from a business in Salford.
Salford City Council’s trading standards officers raided the company following information from the public and is now investigating.
The team has taken more than £150,000 worth of non-compliant e-cigarettes off sale in the past few months and the council has now issued a stern warning to local companies.
Councillor Barbara Bentham, lead member for environment and community safety, said: “The message is clear – we will work with businesses to help them understand their legal responsibilities but if they are selling items they shouldn’t, if they are selling to people who are underage, if they are breaking the law, we will take action and they may end up in court.
“In addition to prosecuting we will also investigate their finances and look to recover any money made illegally as proceeds of crime.
“This is about keeping the public safe and making sure that products they buy are legal. There are robust laws in this country and most business owners do comply but if people are aware of any that are breaking the law, they can report information to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.”