Coventry high street raids lead to three arrests

By Munisha Newsdesk
Published: 26 May 2026

Three people were arrested after a Coventry operation targeting high street stores suspected of selling illegal goods and supporting wider organised crime.

Operation Stance saw Coventry Council Trading Standards officers work with the Serious Organised Crime and Exploitation team, police dog handlers and a drones team during visits to stores in Coundon, Foleshill and Barras Green. Officers seized counterfeit goods, illegal tobacco and vapes, while police also recovered more than 140 bags of Class B drugs from one store.

The operation is part of a wider push against shops suspected of selling illicit products that officials say can be linked to anti-social behaviour, violence and exploitation.

Drugs, tobacco and vapes seized from stores

Coventry City Council said officers visited high street premises last week as part of Operation Stance. During the searches, Trading Standards seized hundreds of counterfeit goods, along with illegal tobacco and vapes.

Police dog Lucky alerted officers during one of the visits, leading to the discovery of more than 140 bags of Class B drugs inside a store. Two men were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.

A third man was later arrested on suspicion of immigration offences.

Trading Standards officers will now review the seized products. The council said it will apply for closure orders against stores found to be selling illegal goods.

Similar enforcement has been seen elsewhere in England, with illicit vapes and tobacco seizures leading to penalties for traders in other towns.

Coundon, Foleshill and Barras Green targeted

The operation focused on high street stores in Coundon, Foleshill and Barras Green. These areas were named by the council as part of the enforcement activity involving Trading Standards, the Serious Organised Crime and Exploitation team, a dog unit and drone officers.

Officials framed the action as both a consumer protection issue and a community safety issue. Illegal tobacco and non-compliant vapes can bypass safety rules, undercut legitimate traders and give organised crime groups a route into local retail premises.

Sgt Kelly Eaves, from the exploitation team, said the illegal sale of counterfeit cigarettes, vapes and other goods should not be treated as harmless or low-level offending.

She said such trade undermines independent businesses that follow the law and is often linked to wider organised criminality, including exploitation of vulnerable people, violence and anti-social behaviour.

Closure orders and public reports

Cllr John McNicholas, Coventry City Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion, said the operation showed close partnership work between police and Trading Standards.

He said the action was a warning to traders who believe they can avoid criminal enforcement while selling illicit products.

Residents who know of high street stores selling illegal goods or illicit substances are being asked to report concerns to police on 101 or through Coventry City Council’s business and licensing channels.

Source: Coventry City Council

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This report is based on Coventry City Council’s published account of Operation Stance and named enforcement details.

Checks

• Confirmed the operation name, locations and agencies from the source text.
• Separated arrests, seizures and proposed closure orders as distinct facts.
• Used only named locations from the report: Coundon, Foleshill and Barras Green.
• Attributed enforcement claims and public reporting advice to the council and police source...

Coventry City Council Check wider coverage

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Coventry City Council

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Coventry

Updated

2026-06-03 20:19

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Article contextPeople & topics2#7

Kelly EavesJohn McNicholas

#Barras Green#Coundon#counterfeit tobacco#Coventry Council Trading Standards#Foleshill#illegal vapes#Operation Stance

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