California police department warns about vaping dangers after junior high school bust

An image of confiscated vapes shared by the City of Turlock's police department. (Turlock Police Department Facebook)

Some junior high school students in California are catching heat after a local police department took to social media to show off a bounty of seized contraband, in the form of vapes.

The City of Turlock’s police department posted to Facebook and Instagram, warning parents and guardians about the dangers posed by vaping. The city is located east of San Francisco.

The posts included several photos appearing to show a pile of colourful vapes in plastic bags, which had been confiscated by the junior high school staff at the school over the year. Police urged parents and guardians to “check your kids.”

The post reminded parents and guardians that vaping and tobacco products were forbidden on school campuses and warned of their dangers to children’s health. The police also shared that the products often are packaged in ways that appeal to young people.

“Many vaping devices today are intentionally designed to look colourful, discreet, and easy to hide. Some even resemble everyday items,” the post read. “Know what these products look like. Have the conversations. Pay attention to what’s in backpacks, bedrooms, pockets, and chargers.”

Many of the products shown in the image are brightly coloured or metallic.

It appears some students were doing more than just inhaling vapour with the devices.

Included in the image of the confiscated pile of vapes was a wad of cash, which one Facebook commentor inquired about.

“Money was confiscated because students were caught selling vapes,” the police department responded.