Nine tonnes of vapes to be destroyed

More than 100,000 non-compliant vapes were imported by Ibrahim Shafi, 34, of Clarence Street, Blackburn and SpeedDrop Logitics Ltd (of which Mr Shafi is the sole director) on 11th October 2023.

In a prosecution brought by the Isle of Anglesey County Council at Mold Magistrates Court today (Tuesday, January 13th) both Mr Shafi and SpeedDrop Logistics Ltd pleaded guilty to three charges under the Tobacco Related Products Regulations 2016 in relation the importation of 109,600 individual Hyati Pro 4000+ vapes, equating to 9000kg (9T) through the Port of Holyhead.

The vapes’ tank sizes were five times larger than the maximum permitted and did not contain the required safety leaflet, relevant contact details nor the required health warning covering a third of the packaging.

Prosecuting Laura Knightly informed the court that on the 11th October 2023 Anglesey Trading Standards received a call from colleagues at UK Border Force to inspect a container.

The container was a refrigerated unit that the contents of which were declared on the ship manifest as perishable food. On initial examination the contents was found to be 109,600 Hyati Pro 4000+ vapes, labelled as 10 ml. The dispatch note identified atomizers that were to be delivered to Speed Drop Global Ltd at Blackburn.

On contacting Anglesey Council, Mr Shafi claimed that the products were owned by European Distribution NW Ltd, and that SpeedDrop Logistics was the freight carrier and delivery was to SpeedDrop Global Ltd all of which Mr Shafi was sole director.

Although Mr Shafi claimed the products were being imported for re-export, the agreement with his customer in Morocco was not finalised at the time of import.

Mr Shafi and the company had previously denied the offences but changed pleas to guilty on the morning of a scheduled trial.

Ms Knightly informed the court that a Trading Standards Officer from Sefton would have given evidence that he had spoken to Mr Shafi previously, in relation to attempted importation of non-compliant vapes through Liverpool which were sent back to Ireland and Mr Shafi advised to seek advice from his local Trading Standards.

Further evidence would have been provided that on the 12th October 2023, police officers had stopped vans carrying non-compliant (oversized) vapes destined for SpeedDrop Blackburn having been imported through Loch Ryan, Scotland.

On the 24th of October Mr Shafi made an application to strike off the company European Distribution NW Ltd, which was withdrawn in March 2024. It was suggested that this was possibly as the banking records for the company identified UK retailers associated with non-compliant vapes.

Mr Muthupandi Ganesan representing the defence advised the court that Mr Shafi was a family man, who was the main bread winner living with his parents, wife and five children under nine-years-old. The defence also claimed that Mr Shafi had never seen the vapes himself.

District Judge Gwyn Jones warned that those bringing items into England and Wales were responsible for ensuring their compliance.

He described Mr Shafi as a successful businessman and family man, so he would not be imposing a custodial sentence. However, in referring to the vapes, he added that Mr Shafi, as a businessman, knew there was an issue with them.

Mr Shafi was fined £3,500 per offence and ordered to pay a further £2,000 victim surcharge and costs to the prosecution of £18,328.61 making a total of £30,828.61. Speed Drop Logistics Ltd was further fined £250 per offence and ordered to pay a £300 victim surcharge, making a total of £1,050 for the company.

A forfeiture and destruction order was also issued, to enable disposal of the vapes by the local authority.

In conclusion District Judge Gwyn Jones expressed his thanks to all Anglesey Council officers involved for the work undertaken that the public do not see, which ensure the items they buy in our shops are safe and legal.