- 15 tonnes of vapes seized from a WA warehouse in single largest haul for the State
- Tip-off leads to one of the biggest vapes seizures in the nation, worth $10 million
- More than 10 tonnes of nangs and other illegal prescription products also impounded
- Government crackdown on illegal vape sales and nitrous oxide misuse continues
More than 300,000 vapes with a street value of $10 million have been uncovered hidden in a warehouse, in the single biggest seizure of the illegal products in Western Australia to date.
In what has also been confirmed as one of the largest seizures of vapes in Australia, WA Health compliance unearthed the massive haul from a property in the Perth metropolitan area earlier this month after a tip-off.
Forty pallets or 15 tonnes of vapes, and more than 10 tonnes of nitrous oxide – or nangs, as well as other illegal prescription products were seized as part of the operation, all allegedly destined to be illegally sold in WA.
Vapes and e-cigarettes can contain up to 200 toxic chemicals, including the same harmful chemicals found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer, bug spray and paint stripper.
Nitrous oxide can be dangerous if inhaled – causing permanent nerve damage, brain damage or even death.
The huge seizure comes as part of the State Government’s ongoing crackdown on the sale of illegal vapes and misuse of nitrous oxide.
It is an offence to manufacture, supply, possess or sell a product containing nicotine without a doctors’ prescription.
In WA, the maximum penalty for selling nicotine vapes under the Medicines and Poisons Act 2014 is $45,000 and imprisonment for 3 years for an individual, or $225,000 for a company.
Anyone who has information regarding the illegal sale of e-cigarettes or vapes is urged to ‘dob-in-a dealer’ by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
