Shopkeeper Fined £21k After Raiding £225k Illegal Vape Sales

A Sheffield shopkeeper has been ordered to repay a fraction of his criminal profits. Barzen Mahmood-Poor, aged 32, was instructed to forfeit £21,285 of assets gained from selling illegal vapes and tobacco. This follows an earlier six-month suspended jail sentence for 10 offenses of selling counterfeit items at his store.

The total earnings from these illicit activities amounted to £228,502.25. However, a court determined his realisable assets were only £21,284.95. He must pay the ordered sum within three months or face a further nine months imprisonment. Sheffield City Council's Trading Standards spearheaded the investigation.

Councillor Joe Otten stressed accountability for traders who break the law and cause harm. He also noted the dangers posed by incorrectly labelled illegal products containing harmful substances and excessive nicotine, emphasizing the need to protect everyone, especially children and young people.