Coventry stores face action after drugs and vape raids

Contents

Drugs, tobacco and illegal vapes seized
Coventry neighbourhoods targeted in Operation Stance
Closure orders now under review

Three people were arrested after a Coventry operation targeting High Street stores suspected of selling illegal goods and helping fuel wider crime, police and council officers have said.

Operation Stance saw officers visit stores in Coundon, Foleshill and Barras Green last week, with Coventry Council Trading Standards seizing counterfeit goods, illegal tobacco and vapes. Police said more than 140 bags of Class B drugs were also recovered from one store after an alert by police dog Lucky.

The action was carried out by the Serious Organised Crime and Exploitation team, with support from a dog unit, drones team and Trading Standards officers. Coventry City Council said the work was aimed at shops suspected of selling illicit products linked to organised crime, anti-social behaviour and violence.

Drugs, tobacco and illegal vapes seized

During the visits, Coventry Council Trading Standards officers seized hundreds of counterfeit items, including illegal tobacco and vapes. The source statement did not name the businesses involved, but said the stores were on High Streets in the Coundon, Foleshill and Barras Green areas.

The most serious seizure followed an indication from police dog Lucky. Officers then recovered more than 140 bags of Class B drugs from a store.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply. A third man was later arrested for immigration offences.

The operation places the illegal sale of tobacco and vapes in a wider public-safety frame, including illegal goods risks. Trading Standards cases often begin with product seizures, but the council and police linked this operation to suspected organised criminality, exploitation risks and disruption to legitimate independent businesses.

Coventry neighbourhoods targeted in Operation Stance

The raids focused on stores in Coundon, Foleshill and Barras Green. These are established residential and commercial areas where small shops and High Street premises serve local customers every day.

Police said illicit goods should not be treated as harmless or low-level offending. Sgt Kelly Eaves, who works on the exploitation team, said the illegal sale of counterfeit cigarettes, vapes and other goods undermines honest businesses and can be linked to exploitation, violence and anti-social behaviour.

“Our priority is keeping the people of Coventry safe and supporting the local businesses that do the right thing every day,” Sgt Eaves said.

She added that police would continue working with partners including Trading Standards to target people involved in illegal activity and shops facilitating it.

Closure orders now under review

Trading Standards officers will review the seizures and seek closure orders on stores found to be selling illegal goods, according to the council.

Cllr John McNicholas, Coventry City Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion, said the operation showed close work between police and Trading Standards. He described it as a warning to traders who believe they can avoid criminal action while selling illicit products.

The council and police are also asking residents to avoid illegal traders and report suspected criminal activity. People with information about High Street stores selling illegal goods or illicit substances can contact police on 101 or report concerns through Coventry City Council’s business and licensing channels.

The council published the update on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.

Source: Coventry City Council