A Romanian woman said 83 vapes and five rechargeable vapes found in a car were bought for £100 from a Polish man in Belfast as it was “cheaper than smoking cigarettes”.
The comment was made by Iasmina Rostas (26), as she and Rahela Lacatus (33), both of Dewey Street in Belfast, appeared at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
They are charged with handling ‘stolen’ goods – vapes; and theft of goods worth a total of over £570 from B&M Bargains in Armagh city and Portadown and Lidl in Portadown on September 24 this year.
Rostas is also charged with not having insurance and a driving licence for a Ford Galaxy and possession of a forged document – an American driving licence.
The accused had the assistance of a Romanian language interpreter at court.
Objecting to bail, a police officer said two females had entered B&M Bargains in Armagh. Goods – including an air fryer – with a total value of £270 were taken from the store.
They left in a Ford Galaxy which was stopped in Portadown. In the car food from Lidl was recovered.
There were also 83 vapes and five rechargeable vapes – most still in display cases or in plastic wrapping.
The officer said the women admitted thefts from shops.
He said the women said they had only been in Northern Ireland “for three weeks”.
A defence barrister said the vehicle had been seized by police.
The defendants were granted bail, each in the sum of £300, and were barred from entering Armagh city and Craigavon apart from attending court. They have to surrender travel documents and must sign at a police station in Belfast twice a week.
The cases were adjourned to October 24.
