Commissioner warns about the Serious and Organised Crime groups selling Spice-laced vapes to children

The Police and Crime Commissioner national lead for tackling Serious and Organised Crime has urged parents and guardians to be extra vigilant after trading standards officers seized thousands of vapes containing highly toxic drugs.

Illegal vapes were being sold in shops and on social media or on the street, with the trade linked to organised crime groups, trading standards officers said.

Heart of the South West Trading Standards, which covers all of Devon and Somerset, seized about 8,000 illegal vapes in 2023.

Some illegal vapes seized had five times the legal level of nicotine as well as substances such as nickel and often had faulty electrics which could lead to fire risks.

Trading Standards works with young people who go into shops and attempt and buy vapes illegally with undercover officers nearby who take action if shop staff sell to people under 18.

Devon & Cornwall Police uses pioneering equipment supplied by Bath University to quickly identify whether vapes or the vape refill bottles contain illegal substances.

Nine out of ten refill bottles seized by police contained the drug Spice which can cause dizziness, breathing problems, heart palpitations, psychosis and seizures.

The force is working with schools to warn pupils about the risks posed by illegal vapes.

Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioner’s lead for Serious and Organised Crime, made tackling drugs one of four police and crime plan priorities.

She is working in town centres where synthetic opioids are having a devastating effect on people’s health.

“I would like to congratulate trading standards officers and police for taking such strong and decisive action on illegal vapes,” she said.

“This proves that partnership work between council staff and police can be very effective. However, while there is demand for these highly dangerous products, there will be organised crime groups seeking to make a profit.

“We all have a role to play in reducing demand for these toxic substances and depriving drug dealers of an income. I would particularly urge parents to take an active interest in whether their children are vaping, to warn them of the inherent dangers, and to be savvy consumers. Being spiked by a vape which appears harmless is a real concern.”