London based illegal vape business undone by Swansea trading standards

Amandeep Kukraja, director of Norwood Trading Ltd and owner of Buddha Vapes, appeared in Swansea Crown Court recently and pleaded guilty to one offence under the under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Mr Kukraja, 28, of Southall, London was also ordered to repay more than £300,000 as part of a Proceeds of Crime Application.

The successful case was the culmination of a lengthy investigation by Swansea Council Trading Standards into the sale of illegal sale of vapes in the city.

Illegal vapes seized by Trading Standards at a Swansea store led officer to a storage facility in Southall, London.

Trading Standards teamed up with Metropolitan Police as part of 'Operation Thor' and seized almost 120,000 illegal vapes from the London-based unit.

It's thought the supplier was providing illegal vapes to shops all around the UK, including Swansea.

David Hopkins, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Service and Performance, said: "Shop owners selling illegal products with age restrictions, to underage children, are not only breaking the law, but they are also displaying a complete lack of awareness about the consequences, the sale of these products can cause to young people.

"Our trading standards team has continued the excellent work it has already done in recent years, to stamp out the sale of these potentially harmful products, that are getting into the hands of young children.

"The operation which took place in March last year was a great success in terms of stemming the flow of illegal vapes into Swansea. We have shown continued commitment to stopping the sale of the products, even if the supplier is outside of our own city.

"I'm sure that such a large seizure of illegal products has not only benefitted Swansea, but also other cities and towns in the UK."