Trading standards smokes out illegal vape sale at Kingsbury shop

A Kingsbury business has been fined after selling a nicotine vape to a child during a Trading Standards test purchase operation.

Ragulans Brothers Ltd, based at 628 Kingsbury Road, appeared at Willesden Magistrates Court on Monday in late January and pleaded guilty to selling a nicotine inhaling product to a person under the age of 18. The case followed complaints from local residents that the shop was selling vapes to schoolchildren. Trading Standards officers carried out an investigation that included a test purchase to verify the allegations.

Despite the company’s claim that proper procedures were followed, magistrates were clear that compliance measures had not been met. The court imposed a fine of £1,200 pounds on Ragulans Brothers Ltd.

The business was also ordered to pay Brent Council’s investigation and legal costs totalling £1,196, along with a victim surcharge of £480. 

Ragulans Brothers Ltd has a previous conviction under its current business status for possessing illicit tobacco products that failed to meet legal packaging and health warning requirements.

Cllr Ishma Moeen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Cohesion said:
“Businesses that repeatedly ignore the law are sending a clear message that they do not care about the wellbeing of our children. Let me be absolutely clear: Brent Council will not allow this. This case should serve as a warning if you sell illegal products to children, we will find out, we will act, and you will face the consequences. Protecting young people in Brent is a responsibility we take extremely seriously.”

This latest offence breached the Nicotine Inhaling Products Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing Regulations 2015 and Section 92 of the Children and Families Act 2014.

Brent Council will continue to carry out test purchases and inspections to ensure businesses comply with age restricted sales legislation and to protect the wellbeing of young people across the borough.