Four vape shops in the south Wales valleys were shut on the same day as part of a major crackdown on illegal vape and tobacco sales. The four stores had been subject to "repeated" complaints from members of the public and enforcement visits before the closure notices were issued last week.
Shops boarded up across Porth, Pontypridd and Aberdare
The four shops in Rhondda Cynon Taf – one in Porth, two in Pontypridd's Taff Street, and another in Aberdare – have now been boarded up. The local council said its investigation uncovered "sophisticated hidden storage" facilities in walls, fixtures, and fittings designed to hide large quantities of illicit tobacco and vaping products.
As well as the illegal tobacco products, intelligence reports suggest two of the stores were selling vapes to children.
£10,000 worth of illegal products seized
A total of 400 packs of illegal cigarettes, dozens of pouches of illicit hand-rolling tobacco and a range of illegal vaping products were found during the raids at the four shops – Corner Shop, 42 Hannah Street, Porth; Express Convenience Store, 33 Victoria Square, Aberdare; Taff Mini Market, 36 Taff Street, Pontypridd; and Ponty Mini Market, 8 High Street, Pontypridd. Across the four investigations officers also carried out 41 successful test purchases.
The street value of the items seized was around £10,000, the council said.
Details of each shop investigation
The council said eight successful test purchases were carried out at Corner Shop in Porth and a significant number of illegal cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco were seized from a sophisticated hidden concealment disguised as an electrical fuse board. The value of the items taken was £3,750.
At Express Convenience Store in Aberdare seven successful test purchases were carried out and illegal cigarettes, tobacco, and illegal vaping products were also seized. The council also received intelligence reports concerning sales to children.
Seven successful test purchases were carried out at Taff Mini Market and around £860 worth of illegal products were saved.
At Ponty Mini Market there were 19 test purchases which involved illegal cigarettes, tobacco, and vaping products. The council also received intelligence reports concerning sales to children.
Last year one shop worker at Ponty Mini Market said he could sell us 20,000 illicit cigarettes.
Council response and warning
An RCT council spokesman said the coordinated action against the shops reflects the council's "ongoing commitment to protecting residents from illegal and potentially unsafe products, supporting legitimate local businesses and tackling criminal activity that harms communities".
Council cabinet member Bob Harris added: "This is a significant result and sends a very clear message that illegal tobacco and vape sales will not be tolerated in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The scale of this operation speaks for itself.
"Across these four businesses our officers uncovered hundreds of packs of illegal cigarettes, illicit tobacco, illegal vapes, and sophisticated concealment systems designed to evade detection. These seizures removed products with a potential retail value of around £10,000 from our communities and demonstrate our determination to tackle illegal trading wherever it occurs.
"The businesses involved had been the subject of lengthy investigations and repeated enforcement activity. Despite receiving advice and warnings they continued to break the law and put profits before the wellbeing of the communities they serve.
"Illegal tobacco undermines legitimate businesses, is often linked to wider criminal activity and can make it easier for young people to access harmful products. The same concerns apply to illegal and non-compliant vaping products.
"Our Trading Standards officers work tirelessly with partners to gather evidence and bring cases before the courts. These closures demonstrate that we will use every enforcement tool available to protect our residents, support responsible traders, and keep our communities safe."
