Following an investigation by Luton Trading Standards, a Luton business has been prosecuted for selling illegal vapes.
Mohammed Minhaz Miah (aged 21), director of T&MM Ltd trading as A-Z Flavourz, and his 22-year-old brother Mohammed Musaddiq Miah, both of Leagrave Road, Luton, appeared for trial at Luton Magistrates on 18 November 2024.
Mohammed Minhaz Miah pleaded guilty to all 12 offences on behalf of the company, six sales of non-compliant vape pens, and possession of 2,237 non-compliant vapes. A test of one of the illicit vapes revealed that it contained 23 times the legal amount of lead.
On behalf of the company, Mohammed Minhaz Miah was fined £24,000 plus a £9,600 victim surcharge and costs of £2,325, totalling £35,925. As director, he was fined £480, a £192 victim surcharge and £2,325 in costs, totalling £2,997. Mr Miah stated that he had no income because A-Z Flavourz was the subject of a closure order issued by Luton Trading Standards in September 2024. As a result, he was ordered to pay £20 per month as director and £200 per month for the fines against the company.
Mohammed Musaddiq Miah pleaded guilty to three direct sales of non-compliant vapes.
Magistrates ordered that Mohammed Musaddiq Miah’s case be heard at Luton Crown Court and that it be included in the sentencing for other offences he committed in 2022 while serving as the director of Shishalab Ltd trading as Shah Jalal, which was based at 184 Dunstable Road. He is due for sentencing on 15 January 2025 and liable for confiscation under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The non-compliant vapes were ordered to be destroyed.
Luton Trading Standards carry out investigations to check for illicit vapes, cigarettes and tobacco in Luton, seizing nearly 14,000 illegal vapes so far. Illegal vaping devices are more dangerous than their regulated counterparts as they contain chemicals that are banned in this country and are harmful to health. Vaping devices are regulated by the government to control the amount of nicotine available and have to be approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Councillor Maria Lovell, Portfolio Holder for Trading Standards, said: “We’re fully committed to preventing the sale of illegal vapes in Luton. This successful prosecution is just another example of how diligently our Trading Standards team works to take action against those who sell these illicit products and put our communities at risk.”
Anyone with information on premises and individuals selling and storing illicit cigarettes, tobacco, shisha and vape pens in Luton either from a shop, online or from a domestic premises or vehicle can report it in confidence.