A New South Wales man has been sentenced for operating an illegal vape supply business and has also pleaded guilty to a series of serious sexual offences in a case that has attracted significant attention in the Coffs Harbour region.
William Adolfo Rivera Torrez, 24, appeared before the Coffs Harbour District Court, where he was sentenced for offences relating to the importation, possession and supply of large quantities of vaping products. Court proceedings heard that he ran what was described as a "dial-a-dealer" style operation, supplying vaping products to customers throughout the region between July and September 2024.
The investigation began after police discovered hundreds of vaping devices in Rivera Torrez's vehicle. Further inquiries led officers to a storage facility in Boambee East, where authorities uncovered an additional cache of vaping products. In total, police seized approximately 1,280 illegal vaping devices, including 940 items stored at the facility.
Rivera Torrez pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including importing vaping goods, possessing a commercial quantity of vaping products and supplying vaping products. During sentencing, the court heard the operation was not considered highly sophisticated and involved relatively limited efforts to conceal his activities.
Judge Michael McHugh sentenced Rivera Torrez to an Intensive Corrections Order (ICO) of eight months and 12 days, to be served in the community rather than in prison. As part of the order, he was directed to complete 100 hours of community service, with the sentence due to expire in February 2027.
During the proceedings, the court also heard that Rivera Torrez has pleaded guilty to separate and serious sexual offences. Court documents indicate he admitted to charges including sexually touching another person without consent, intentionally choking a person without consent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and sexual intercourse without consent.
The guilty pleas mean there will be no further District Court proceedings in relation to those offences. Instead, the matters are scheduled to return to Coffs Harbour Local Court on 6 August 2026 for further legal processes.
Court proceedings also revealed that police discovered evidence suggesting Rivera Torrez intended to obtain counterfeit Australian currency. However, the court noted that no such transaction was completed before his arrest.
Rivera Torrez had spent approximately nine months on remand at the Clarence Correctional Centre before his sentencing on the vape-related offences. The court indicated that he would be released from custody shortly following the sentence being imposed.
The case highlights growing concerns about the illegal vape trade in Australia. Authorities have increased enforcement efforts in recent years as governments attempt to curb the importation and distribution of unregulated vaping products. The matter also underscores the serious consequences associated with both illicit goods offences and violent criminal conduct.
Investigations into related matters have concluded, and attention now turns to the upcoming court proceedings concerning the sexual offence charges.
