THE OWNER and director of Best One Vape on Clifton Street in Cardiff has been ordered to pay over £10,000 for breaching a number of health and safety offences as well as selling counterfeit tobacco and illegal vapes.
Sirwan Nuri Kadri, 37, of Clifton Street Cardiff appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court on April 29 to be sentenced for five illegal tobacco and e-cigarette offences and two health and safety offences relating to live electrical wires that were found protruding out of walls at the back of his business.
Prior to the hearing last Tuesday (April 29th), the owner and director of the business, Mr Kadri pleaded guilty to illegal tobacco and e-cigarette offences at a previous hearing on 23rd January 2025. The health and safety offences that were heard in court last Tuesday related to an unstable fridge at the business, with reports of a number of live electrical wires exposed at the rear of the property causing an immediate threat to life.
An improvement Notice was issued by Shared Regulatory Services as soon as the live electrical wires were found and it was made clear that the issues had to be resolved by a competent person, while making it clear that a Prohibition Notice could be served on the property if the work wasn’t carried out.
Several follow up visits took place by council officers and although the electrical wires were no longer visible, the business failed to provide any documentation to prove that the work had been carried out by a competent person.
Cllr Norma Mackie, Cabinet Member for Shared Regulatory Services at Cardiff Council, said: “This isn’t the first time we’ve had issues with this business. The shop has barely re-opened since we closed it for three months last November due to an anti-social behaviour closure order for selling contraband tobacco and vapes.
“It seems the danger they pose to their customers extends beyond the products they sell. Live electrical wires were found poking through their walls, posing an immediate life-threatening hazard if touched.
“Health and safety legislation exists for a reason. Businesses need to comply with the law to ensure the safety of their staff and customers. Any breaches like this will be met with the full force of the law to keep people safe.”
The company Best One Vape Ltd was fined a total of £4000 for the health and safety offences, and a further £5000 for the illegal tobacco and vapes, with a £2000 victim surcharge, and costs of £570 for the Health & Safety Offences and £1048 for the Tobacco and e-cigarette offences.
Mr Kadri was fined £1,400 for the illegal tobacco and vape offences, ordered to pay £1048 in prosecution costs and a Victim Surcharge of £560.
A forfeiture order was granted for all the illegal tobacco and vapes so they can be destroyed.
(Image: File)
