Police swoop on Kosciusko Avenue, Corio to arrest woman

Thousands of vapes and fake ciggies have been found by police at a Corio milk bar after an arrest of a Bell Post Hill woman.

Business at Kosciusko Ave, Corio. Picture: Mark Wilson

Almost 5000 vapes and 7300 fake cigarettes have been seized by police from a Corio milk bar following a raid.

A Bell Post Hill woman was arrested on Thursday and charged in relation to a raid at the milk bar on Kosciusko Avenue, Corio.

During the raid police found more than 78,160 cigarettes, 7,300 fake cigarettes, more than 4,000 vapes and 24 bongs.

Police alleged the items were being sold illegally.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the items were worth more than $177,000.

The spokeswoman said the 42-year-old woman from Bell Post Hill was charged with selling or supplying a controlled substance without authorisation or licence, advertising a controlled substance for sale, possessing excisable tobacco and displaying cannabis water pipe, bong component or bong kit in a retail outlet.

The woman was bailed to appear at Geelong Magistrates’ Court on September 1, the spokeswoman said.

In March the Addy reported Geelong youths were increasingly becoming hooked on vapes after being seduced by cheap prices and appealing flavours.

An Addy investigation found three stores were selling illegal vapes within minutes’ walk of each other in the Geelong CBD.

One store advertised an “1800 puff” vape for $25, accepting cash only,while another had a “4000 puff” vape for $40.

Vapes, also known as e-cigarettes, are battery-operated devices that heat a liquid until it becomes an aerosol.

It is illegal for retailers such as tobacconists and convenience stores to sell nicotine vaping products, but people with a prescription can buy them from pharmacies.

The sale of any e-cigarette product, with or without nicotine, to a person under the age of 18 is prohibited in Victoria.

The federal government is working with the states and territories to stop the import of non-prescription vapes; reduce the allowed nicotine concentrations and volumes; and ban all single-use, disposable vapes.

Police said anyone with information on suspicious activity should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or by submit an anonymous report online.

Originally published as Police swoop on Kosciusko Avenue, Corio to arrest woman