The Mellow Yellow Vape Shack in south Essex, England, was ordered to close for three months after being caught selling counterfeit tobacco and illegal vapes by Thurrock Council’s trading standards team in February. The team, accompanied by sniffer dog Lily, found large quantities of counterfeit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco hidden in the shop, along with illegal vapes that came in packaging targeting children or that were more than 10 times the legal tank size.
This is the second time the shop has been caught selling illegal products in less than six months. The Basildon Magistrates Court ordered the shop to remain closed for three months and for Amir Ahmadi to pay £4,665.67 in costs.
“Let this be a message to any business that thinks it can cheat and endanger its customers by selling counterfeit and illegal goods,” said Victoria Holloway, councilor responsible for place and the environment. “Our trading standards team will find you and the full force of the law will be used to hold you to account.”
