Secret compartment in loo revealed illegal trade

A SHOPKEEPER had tens of thousands of pounds worth of illegal tobacco and vapes including stock hidden in secret compartments and in the base of his bed.

- JASON EVANS Court and crime reporter

Council officers found a hidden compartment stuffed with illegal tobacco in the toilet of the vape shop. SWANSEA COUNCIL

In total Halkawt Arif was found with almost £45,000-worth of unlawful products including vapes with liquid reservoirs up to 20 times the permitted limit along with £1,690 in cash.

Sending the defendant to prison a judge at Swansea Crown Court said the sale of unlawful tobacco and vape products was an increasing problem in towns and cities across the UK and said the seriousness of the issue “cannot be overstated”.

Lee Reynolds, prosecuting, told the court the case followed a visit to a shop called Snoop Vape Store in Swansea's High Street in July last year.

He said a search uncovered a “significant amount” of illegal tobacco products and vapes including items found concealed in hidden compartments with one in the shop itself and one in a toilet at the rear of the premises.

In total council officers recovered 52 packets of illegal cigarettes and 714 disposal vapes.