Suspect smuggled booze and illicit vaping gear seized in Folkestone

Suspected smuggled alcohol and illegal vaping equipment was seized as part of a multi-agency operation in Folkestone.

Officers from Kent Police joined licensing and trading standards officers from Folkestone and Hythe District Council (F&HDC) and Kent County Council (KCC) for the work on Tuesday 27 September 2022.

The team visited 12 shops in the town to ensure licensing conditions were being adhered to, and to make businesses aware of laws around selling alcohol to underage customers.

Seized

During the visits, spirits were seized, which were believed to be for sale without payment of the necessary UK duties, as well as banned e-cigarettes and vaping products.

PC Gemma Martin, Folkestone Community Safety Unit’s Licensing Officer, said: ‘We know the connection between underage alcohol sales and anti-social behaviour and this operation shows that we adopt a proactive partnership approach to ensure licenced premises are adhering to their licence conditions, taking action where appropriate.’

F&HDC Cllr Stuart Peall, Cabinet Member for Enforcement, Regulatory Services, Waste & Building Control, said: ‘Joint-partnership operations such as these help ensure businesses within the district are following the correct licensing policies and keeping our community safe. If anyone is aware of incidents of illegal activity, then you can report it to Kent Police, our licensing team or Crimestoppers.’

KCC Principal Trading Standards Officer Oliver Jewell said: ‘It was pleasing to see the majority of shops we visited had followed our previous advice regarding e-cigarettes. Unfortunately in one case, over 500 e-cigarettes were seized as they did not meet UK rules and cannot be confirmed as safe.’