Cowley shop worker sentenced for supplying illegal vapes
A former shop worker has been ordered to pay more than £2,000 after admitting offences linked to the supply of illegal vapes, following an investigation by Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards team.
Darian Kaify Hassani, 20, of Frederick Road, Cowley, admitted personally supplying illegal vapes to trading standards test purchasers and aiding and abetting the company in supplying hundreds more products that breached legal nicotine liquid limits.
Hassani changed his plea to guilty on the morning of the trial at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on 2 September 2026. He was fined £720 and ordered to pay £1,000 towards prosecution costs, together with a surcharge of £288, making a total of £2,008.
The prosecution followed a trading standards’ investigation into Khalifa Super Store, formerly trading from 120 Cowley Road, Oxford.
Councillor Kate Gregory Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, said: “I am pleased that our trading standards team have once again been able to remove illegal, addictive products from our high streets. This case demonstrates that individuals who knowingly assist in the sale of illegal products can be held personally accountable for their actions.”
The court heard test purchases were made by a trading standards officer on 23 February 2025 and again on 16 March 2025. Both devices sold by Hassani contained nicotine containing liquid five times the maximum 2ml capacity permitted by law.
He also acknowledged helping the company supply 339 illegal disposable vapes, comprising 214 vapes containing 10ml of nicotine liquid, and 125 containing 24ml - up to twelve times the legal limit.
The packaging also failed to include the required UK producer or importer contact details.
The products were discovered on 16 March 2025 inside a concealed compartment, operated by electro-magnet, built into shelving directly behind the shop counter. The court heard that Hassani regularly worked in the retail area of the shop and had been present during earlier trading standards inspections and seizures.
Despite being aware of officers' concerns regarding these products, he continued to involve himself in their sale and supply.
Davina Walkin, Oxfordshire County Council's Trading Standards Operations Manager, added: "Mr Hassani had previously been present during trading standards interventions and was aware of officers' concerns regarding these products. Despite that knowledge, he continued to assist in their sale and supply.
“My officers will continue to take robust action against those involved in this illegal trade in order to protect consumers and support legitimate businesses."
Anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco, vapes or related products can report it anonymously by calling 0300 999 6 999 or by visiting www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk.
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The court was told that Hassani had left his employment at Khalifa Super Store in December 2025 and is currently in receipt of Universal Credit of £338.50 and housing benefit of £660 each month.
Yadgar Ghafour, the former owner and director of Khalifa Super Store Ltd, previously pleaded guilty to all offences at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Friday 28 November 2025 and was ordered to pay £3907.24 in fines and costs. Khalifa Super Store Ltd also pleaded guilty to all offences and was ordered to pay £17,616.24 in fines and costs.
Khalifa Super Store Ltd now trades as Khalifa Supermarket from 120 Cowley Road and is under different ownership.
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