Yahoo News Hundreds of illegal vapes and dangerous children's toys confiscated from Bromley high street seller
Hundreds of illegal vapes and dangerous children's toys have been confiscated from a high street retailer in South London. A shop in Bromley has been fined more than £6,000 after being investigated by the council and police.
Trading Standards Officers were tipped off that Mobi Fix Ltd, which is run by Andrei Chicus, was selling illegal vapes and children's toys. 277 vapes were found to have illegal amounts of nicotine in, and 165 toys were seized for breaching safety regulations.
Chicus appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to seven charges of possession for supply of non-compliant -cigarettes, unsafe toys, and other items. Together, the company and Chicus were ordered to pay total of £6,444 in fines and costs.
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Chicus, of Downham Way, Bromley, was ordered to pay a fine of £1,144, while Mobi Fix Ltd was fined £5,300. However, this isn't the first time Mobi Fix has been caught selling illegal goods. In December 2021 and June 2022, Trading Standards officers had visited the company and seized non-compliant vapes both times.
Chicus, who was appointed as the company director in November 2022, denied any knowledge of these visits. He also denied knowledge of the law regarding vapes, but confessed to not verifying the safety of the toy products acquired from the supplier.
Councillor Page, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement, said “It is important that retailers follow the safety laws when selling goods such as vapes and are mindful of the age-restricted nature of products too. This prosecution sends strong message to all that this is serious matter.
"Our Trading Standards team is on hand to give advice to retailers should they need it. As part of our approach, we do seek to protect young people from age-restricted products and will take enforcement action where needed.”
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