Crime

Four figure fine for illegal Pembrokeshire vape trader

Published

11 months ago

February 8, 2024

A COURT has heard how a Pembrokeshire vape trader ‘has lost trust in his suppliers’ after receiving a batch of e-cigarettes that contained nearly three times the legal nicotine limit.

A council trading standard officer visited Vapes Allsorts in Pembroke, on the morning of June 14, 2023, following reports that the business had been selling non-compliant vapes.

He requested an Elux Firerose Ex4500 vape and was served by Terence Miller who was responsible for running and managing the store which is situated in Main Street. But upon leaving the store, the officer discovered the vape fell foul of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations, 2016.

The vape was found to contain:

Nearly three times the legal nicotine concentration;
Over three times the legal e-liquid permitted in such a vape and
Over 3.5 times the legal tank capacity.

This week solicitor Jill Davies, prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council, informed Haverfordwest magistrates that immediately after the test purchase, two more local authority officers visited Vapes Allsorts.

“They informed Terence Miller that the purchase had taken place, and he initially denied selling it, claiming it hadn’t come from there.”

Ms Davies went on to say that 39 identical vapes were subsequently removed from his shop by local authority officers and were found to carry the exact illegal quantities of e-liquid, nicotine and tank capacities.

“The defendant now accepts that he made an error of judgement and has told us that he informed his supplier the following day that his invoice was incorrect, however copies of this aren’t available,” she said.

Miller, of Main Street, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to producing or supplying an electronic cigarette that did not comply with product requirements; producing or supplying an electronic cigarette that failed to include contact details of the producer; producing or supplying an electronic cigarette that failed to include a leaflet with information concerning its nicotine content and of engaging in unfair commercial practice.

Choosing to represent himself before magistrates, Miller told the court that his decision to stock the Elux vape was the result of his successful 12-year career in the vape industry.

“Elux is a quality product,” he said.

“I requested 20 units of five different flavours and they arrived factory sealed in plastic. The box was unpacked and the stock was either shelved for sale or stored for a later date. I chose three flavours for my personal use, and I’m 100 percent positive that those had no nicotine in them as the white space at the bottom read ‘zero nicotine’.

“I replenished the stock on Monday morning, which included the remaining 50 vapes. But unbeknown to me, they were illicit.

“I pride myself on selling quality vaping products and I put a lot of trust in my suppliers. But in this instance, it’s tarnished what was a good, professional relationship.

“I’ve worked too hard for too many years to throw it all away by selling products that are outside the regulations. It’s just not in me to do that, but all I can do is apologise profusely. This has been a hard and bitter pill to swallow.”

After considering his mitigation, magistrates ordered Terence MIller to pay £1,000 costs to Pembrokeshire County Council. He was fined £918 and ordered to pay a £367.20 court surcharge. A forfeiture and destruction order was imposed on the 40 illegal vapes which were removed from Vapes Allsorts by Pembrokeshire County Council during their investigation.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

4 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

Crime

Sex offender jailed for breaching court order

Published

20 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Court Reporter

A SEX offender from Wolfscastle has been jailed after using fake names on WhatsApp and attempting to access a social media app, breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Luke Rogers, 38, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to two breaches of the order, which was imposed following his 2020 conviction for sexual activity with a child.

Under the SHPO, Rogers was prohibited from using unregistered internet-enabled devices or creating online profiles under false names. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that police monitoring software installed on Rogers’ phone detected activity in group chats under three aliases last November.

Further investigation revealed Rogers had also searched for the MeetMe app on four occasions and admitted using it. Rogers, described by Mr. Bowen as “apologetic,” was arrested, and his phone was seized.

The court heard Rogers has a history of 17 convictions for 35 offences, including breaching court orders and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Defence barrister Olivia Rose said Rogers had cooperated fully with police and expressed a desire to change. She argued that his breaches stemmed from a misunderstanding about permitted names and emphasized his efforts to seek support.

Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Catherine Richards noted Rogers’ pattern of reoffending and stated: “The reality is I can only pass an immediate custodial sentence.”

She expressed hope that Rogers would take advantage of post-sentence supervision to break the cycle of offending.

Crime

Police renew appeal to find Darren Markes from Pembroke Dock

Published

21 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

POLICE in Pembrokeshire are renewing their appeal for information to locate Darren Markes, 46, from Pembroke Dock. He is wanted in connection with a domestic assault.

Markes is believed to have links to the Portsmouth and Sussex areas.

If you have seen Darren Markes or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the police through one of the following methods: