Shopkeeper Jailed After Secret Cache of Illegal Cigarettes and Vapes Discovered in Swansea
A Swansea shop proprietor has been handed a custodial sentence after authorities uncovered a significant haul of illegal cigarettes and vaping products, ingeniously concealed within a hidden compartment above the lighting fixtures of his retail premises. The incident casts a spotlight on ongoing efforts to tackle the illicit trade of tobacco and e-cigarettes, raising concerns over public health, fair commerce, and regulatory enforcement.
Peshawa Zada, 24, who originated from Iran before settling in the UK, was running a shop called Bob Marley Vapes on St Helen’s Road in Swansea. Zada began managing the business in 2023, and it quickly attracted the attention of local trading standards officers due to suspicious activity. A raid subsequently revealed the store was a front for a much broader operation involving the sale of unauthorised and counterfeit products.
Council officials and law enforcement described a sophisticated network for hiding contraband. In one particularly audacious case, a false storage compartment accessible only by a special fob was found above a fluorescent light, packed with illegal items. Other raids revealed further illegal goods concealed behind a false wall panel and in other hidden areas e.g. kitchen spaces—a sign, prosecutors argue, of both planning and intent.
The investigation into Zada’s dealings was not confined to Swansea. Prior offences were committed in Hull in 2022, where Zada, listed as the licence holder for a different convenience store, was involved in similar activity. There, police found over 17,800 cigarettes and multiple pouches of tobacco stashed in outdoor bins. Even after this discovery—and while still under investigation—Zada moved operations to South Wales, continuing the illegal enterprise.
During the Swansea investigation, authorities confiscated approximately 82 illegal vapes in one visit alone. Further inspections at the shop would reveal even larger quantities and more elaborate hiding tactics. In total, the estimated value of tobacco and vaping products seized in Swansea approached £100,000, according to evidence presented by the prosecution.
Many of the confiscated items breached UK regulations, some lacking mandatory health warnings and others being outright counterfeit. One particular sale to an undercover reporter involved a Chinese-manufactured vape containing 10ml of liquid, five times the UK’s permitted maximum, underscoring risks of excessive nicotine exposure. These infractions highlight significant public health concerns, as well as the threat posed to legitimate businesses abiding by stricter regulatory standards.
During sentencing at Swansea Crown Court, Judge Catherine Richards noted the deliberate and ongoing nature of the offending. She outlined how Zada had embarked on a calculated course of action over an extended period. Judge Richards highlighted the unfair competition faced by law-abiding traders and referenced Zada’s continuation of these activities while under scrutiny for prior offences. She concluded that only an immediate prison sentence was appropriate in these circumstances.
In defence, barrister John Allchurch pointed to Zada’s youth and lack of business experience, stating that he had moved to Britain at the age of 18 and taken on significant responsibilities without adequate support or guidance. Expressions of remorse and immaturity were cited as mitigating elements, though the court found these were outweighed by the gravity and repeat nature of the offences.
Following deliberations, the judge imposed a sentence of one year and ten months’ imprisonment. Further legal proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act are expected to follow, with an additional hearing planned to consider what, if any, financial penalties will be levied against Zada.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the persistent efforts required to combat the black market in tobacco and vaping products, and the lengths to which some will go to evade law enforcement. Local authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, emphasising the shared responsibility in protecting public health and supporting genuine businesses within the community.