Operation Cloud and Advance Unite to Tackle Illicit Trade and Anti-Social Behaviour

The action forms part of the ongoing Operation Cloud and the force-wide Operation Advance, both aimed at tackling crime, anti-social behaviour, and the sale of illicit products across the city.

The raid, which took place earlier this month at multiple commercial premises and associated vehicles in Birmingham, resulted in the seizure of:

• 40 large nitrous oxide canisters and related paraphernalia
• More than 780 illicit vapes
• 1,980 illicit and counterfeit cigarettes
• More than 115 packets of oral snuff/smokeless tobacco
• Nearly 50 unsafe counterfeit inflatable toys
• 125 sachets of unlicensed erectile dysfunction medicine

A concealed compartment was also discovered at one of the premises which contained a large quantity of nitrous oxide cannisters and illicit tobacco. A male suspect was also arrested at the scene.

This latest enforcement builds on the success of Operation Cloud, which has been active since September 2024 and has already removed nearly £7 million worth of illegal goods from circulation. The operation targets the sale of illicit vapes, nitrous oxide, counterfeit tobacco, and other harmful products that pose serious risks to public health and safety.

Last week’s action also forms part of Operation Advance, West Midlands Police’s force-wide initiative delivering 24 hours of high-impact policing activity. Officers from across departments joined forces with the Council’s Trading Standards teams to disrupt criminal activity, enforce public space protection orders, and reassure communities through high-visibility patrols.

Councillor Jamie Tennant, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities, said: “This joint operation is a powerful demonstration of what we can achieve through partnership. Illegal goods like these are not only dangerous to health—especially for young people—but also fuel wider criminality and anti-social behaviour. We will continue to take robust action to protect our communities and uphold the law.

“These products are often sold without any regard for safety standards, and in many cases, are deliberately marketed to appeal to children and teenagers. The presence of such goods in our neighbourhoods undermines community wellbeing and contributes to a cycle of harm that affects families, schools, and local businesses.

“Through Operation Cloud and Operation Advance, we are sending a clear message: Birmingham will not tolerate the illegal trade of harmful products. We are committed to working with our partners to make our city safer, cleaner, and more resilient for everyone.”

Ch Supt Tom Joyce, of Birmingham Police, said: “This was a fantastic day of really high-profile activity, using everyone from neighbourhood officers, to intelligence, traffic, firearms, gangs officers, investigators and more.

“The activity is designed to be really visible and reassuring, while making a real impact in communities across the whole city.

“This is all about making our town centres safe and welcoming for everyone, while making them hostile places for anyone wanting to commit crime.

“Advance will be returning to Birmingham later in the year when we will be out in full force again to have that significant impact that using teams from across the West Midlands brings.

“In the meantime, Birmingham officers will continue working 24/7 to make the city safer and help and support people when they need us most.”

The Council is now pursuing a closure order for the premises under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. This follows the recent enforcement of the national ban on single-use vapes, which came into effect on 1 June 2025.

Birmingham’s Trading Standards team has already seized over 14,000 illegal or non-compliant vapes since the launch of Operation Cloud.

Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity or sales of illegal goods via by contacting the Council’s Trading Standards team on 0121 303 9360 or the West Midlands Police on 101.