Moreton Bay tobacconist could face maximum penalty of up to $80,000
A Moreton Bay tobacconist could face a maximum penalty of $80,000 under new legislation for allegedly selling thousands of ‘brightly coloured’ nicotine-filled vapes.
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More than 5000 nicotine-filled illegal vapes were found stashed between two Moreton Bay shops, leaving their owner facing fines of up to $80,000 under new vapes legislation.
Bilal Jamal Al Dilami, 36, the owner of VIP Tobacconist in Kallangur and Tobacco and Gifts in Strathpine faced Pine Rivers Magistrates Court Wednesday, April 5.
The tobacconist could face a maximum penalty of up to $80,000 for allegedly stashing thousands of illegal vapes containing nicotine for sale.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Daniel Baulderstone told the court a search warrant was carried out at the two addresses on November 22 last year.
Police allegedly found 1730 illegal vapes at the Kallangur store and 3888 at the Strathpine location, of assorted brands and flavours.
The court heard the vapes were brightly coloured and on display to the public.
In Queensland, it is illegal to sell nicotine vapes except at an authorised pharmacy.
Al Dilami pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying medicines or hazardous poisons.
Sergeant Baulderstone said the maximum penalty for the offence was $80,000.
Magistrate Melanie Ho said she was unfamiliar with the charges in relation to vapes and their differences.
“Are there different types of vapes that aren’t nicotine vapes?” Ms Ho said,
“It’s not the lolly vapes like kids have at schools?”
Lawyer Mark Zeller told the court he had appeared on previous cases in the past where the fines ranges between $4000 and $7000, but that it was difficult to find examples of similar cases.
“These charges are quite new to courts” Mr Zeller said.
Magistrate Ho adjourned the matter to review the legislation.
“It’s a hot topic at the moment” Ms Ho said
“If we’re going to get more and more of these, I may as well get across it now”.
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