Crime
Pembrokeshire’s sniffer dogs locate illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco
IN A MAJOR bust led by Swansea Council’s Trading Standards Officers, a series of raids uncovered a substantial quantity of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco products within the city. Pembrokeshire-based BWY Canine Ltd played a pivotal role in these discoveries, showcasing local expertise in combating illegal trade practices.
During a thorough search of a local shop suspected of selling illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco, officers, with the help of specially trained tobacco and vape detection dogs, found illegal products hidden in a bunker at the rear of the premises.
This operation unearthed large amounts of counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco, underscoring the scale of illicit activities in the area.
Further enhancing the operation’s impact, a second raid in the city centre utilized the expertise of Pembrokeshire’s BWY Canine Ltd. The company’s dogs successfully located large quantities of illegal tobacco and vapes concealed within a purpose-built hidden compartment inside another shop. These operations are now under investigation, with charges likely to be brought against both shop owners involved.
This crackdown forms part of Swansea Council’s ongoing efforts to eliminate the sale of illegal vapes in the region. It follows a previous operation where Trading Standards officers visited a storage facility in London, discovering illegal vapes valued at over £1.5 million. These efforts highlight the Council’s commitment to tackling this issue head-on, with recent successes bolstering their resolve.
Rhys Harries, Team Leader for Trading Standards in Swansea, emphasized the crucial role of public information in identifying businesses selling illegal products. The council has been actively investigating numerous cases, leading to several prosecutions in recent months. Harries praised the effectiveness of their strategies to uncover hidden illegal goods, underscoring the challenge of staying ahead of those attempting to conceal their activities.
David Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Performance, commended the operation’s success in disrupting the sale of illegal products to consumers. He attributed part of this success to the public’s willingness to report concerns, particularly regarding sales to minors. Hopkins encouraged continued public engagement with the Trading Standards Team to help protect young people in Swansea.
A survey conducted by Vape Club revealed that Swansea Council confiscated more illegal vapes in 2023 than any other Welsh Council, highlighting the severity of the issue in the area.
With 2024 expected to see even more confiscations, the council’s efforts, supported by Pembrokeshire’s canine experts, represent a strong stand against the illegal vape and tobacco trade in Wales.
Crime
Haverfordwest man faces drug charges in Crown Court
A 23-YEAR-OLD man from Haverfordwest has been formally charged with multiple drug-related offences, including the possession and intent to supply cocaine, MDMA, and cannabis. Owen Maddocks, residing at Hywel Road, will soon make a court appearance at Swansea Crown Court to respond to the charges.
Maddocks stands accused of possessing cocaine with intent to supply on April 5 and similarly for MDMA on June 15 of the previous year. On the same dates, he also allegedly intended to supply cannabis, leading to additional charges.
Furthermore, the allegations against Maddocks include the possession of criminal property, specifically £4,905 in cash, which was seized on June 15.
After appearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on May 3, Maddocks was granted bail. He is scheduled to appear at Swansea Crown Court on May 10, where he will enter his pleas.
Crime
Four-figure fine because of four-legged friends
A PACK of dogs which bark persistently in a Pembrokeshire residential area have resulted in a four-figure fine for their owner.
“The lady living in the property beneath has been concerned about the noise for some considerable time,” said solicitor Jill Davies, prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council. “Sometimes the dogs can be heard barking at two, three and even four o’clock in the morning,”
As a result, noise abatement notices were served on Catherine Jones, 51, of Northfield Terrace, Robseston Wathen, following numerous visits by Pembrokeshire County Council’s enforcement officers, RSPCA officers and police officers. But despite the notices, Catherine Jones’s dogs continued to bark.
“The noise abatement notices were served as a result of at least five dogs, possibly as many as seven, barking in a domestic local authority property,” continued Jill Davies.
Last week Jones was found guilty in her absence by Haverfordwest magistrates of five charges of failing to comply with a noise abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act and three charges of failing to comply with a community protection notice.
This Tuesday, May 7, the matter was brought back to Haverfordwest Magistrates Court for sentencing; once again Catherine Jones failed to attend.
Jones was ordered to pay a total of £1,640, comprising a £440 fine and £1,200 prosecution costs to Pembrokeshire County Council. An application by the local authority for a criminal behaviour order to be served against Jones was declined by magistrates.
Crime
Dock man avoids jail sentence after breaking vase
A DOCK man has narrowly avoided a prison sentence following a domestic incident that resulted in a broken vase of flowers.
Police were called to a property in Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, on the night of May 5, following a 999 call from the occupant.
There they discovered Michal Rakowski, 39.
“The complainant was clearly upset and very distressed when viewed on the police body-worn footage,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“She had rung 999 to ask the police to come and arrest the defendant, and a male voice could be heard in the background shouting, ‘F*** you’.
“The whole time that the police were there, she wasn’t looking at them and had her head down. She was clearly distressed.”
Ms Jackson went on to say that Rakowski and the complainant have been involved in a tempestuous relationship for a considerable length of time.
“There’s a history between the two parties and the domestic situation is continuing between the two of them,” she said.
Rakowski pleaded guilty to a charge of causing criminal damage to the flowers and a vase and appeared before magistrates after being remanded in custody. This was because the offence had been committed whilst Rakowski was the subject of a community order imposed for a similar offence.
The probation service was present in court and confirmed that the defendant’s engagement with his probation officer has been sporadic.
After considering the facts, magistrates sentenced Rakowski to an 18-month community order during which he must carry out 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay fines and charges totalling £224, including £25 compensation to the complainant.
“Today you’ve come very close to being sent back to custody,” said the presiding magistrates when imposing sentence.
“I want to make it very clear that if you trip up and don’t engage with the probation service, you know what’s going to happen to you.”
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