MAJOR RCT CRACKDOWN SEES FOUR ILLEGAL TOBACCO AND VAPE SHOPS CLOSED IN ONE DAY

FOUR businesses across Rhondda Cynon Taf have been ordered to CLOSE following a major Trading Standards crackdown on the illegal tobacco and vape trade in RCT.

The Closure Orders, granted by the courts and enforced on the same day, were issued against:

• Corner Shop, 42 Hannah Street, Porth.
• Express Convenience Store, 33 Victoria Square, Aberdare.
• Taff Mini Market, 36 Taff Street, Pontypridd.
• Ponty Mini Market, 8 High Street, Pontypridd.

The coordinated action marks a significant enforcement operations undertaken against the illegal tobacco and vape trade in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Investigations into the premises involved intelligence-led visits, test purchasing exercises, seizures of illegal products and multi-agency enforcement operations carried out alongside partners including HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), South Wales Police and Operation CeCe.

Across the four investigations, officers carried out 41 successful test purchases, acted on 15 complaints and 14 intelligence reports, and seized hundreds of illegal cigarettes, illicit tobacco products and illegal vapes.

The seizures removed illegal tobacco and vape products with a potential UK street value of around £10,000 from Rhondda Cynon Taf's streets.

The investigation uncovered more than 400 packs of illegal cigarettes, dozens of pouches of illicit hand-rolling tobacco and a range of illegal vaping products across the four premises.

Throughout the investigations, officers uncovered evidence of sophisticated hidden storage areas disguised within walls, fixtures and fittings, specifically designed to evade enforcement activity. Large quantities of illicit tobacco products and illegal vaping products were seized, many of which were suspected of breaching tobacco regulations, product safety laws and trademark legislation.

The businesses had all been subject to repeated enforcement visits, intelligence-led operations, complaints from the public and formal advice from Trading Standards officers. Despite repeated warnings and opportunities to comply with the law, illegal trading continued, leading officers to pursue Closure Orders through the courts.

The action 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.

Councillor Bob Harris, Cabinet Member for Communities, said:

"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."

The illegal tobacco trade remains a priority area for enforcement, as it poses risks to public health and contributes to organised criminal activity.

Trading Standards team in Rhondda Cynon Taf use a variety of methods to detect illegal products, including intelligence-led operations and partnership working at a local and national level.

If members of the public have any information about people engaged in illegal trading activity, they are encouraged to report it directly to Trading Standards using the Illegal Activity Online Form.

For further information, please visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk/TradingStandards

More details from each closure:

Corner Shop, 42 Hannah Street, Porth

• Two complaints received and intelligence submitted regarding illegal tobacco sales.
• Eight successful test purchases of illicit cigarettes.
• Significant seizure of illegal cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco from a sophisticated hidden concealment disguised as an electrical fuse board.
• Largest seizure included 179 packs of cigarettes and 37 pouches of tobacco.
• Estimated retail value of seized goods: £3,750.
• Estimated tobacco duty loss: £2,101.85.

Express Convenience Store, 33 Victoria Square, Aberdare

• Two complaints and two intelligence reports received.
• Seven successful test purchases of illegal cigarettes.
• Intelligence reports included concerns regarding sales to children.
• Multiple seizures of illegal cigarettes, tobacco and illegal vaping products.
• Largest seizure included more than 250 packs of cigarettes, 14 pouches of tobacco and 27 illegal vapes.

Taff Mini Market, 36 Taff Street, Pontypridd

• Seven successful test purchases carried out since opening in July 2026. [
• Officers discovered concealed tobacco products and a sophisticated hidden cache disguised within the premises.
• Largest seizure included cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco hidden within cooker hoods.
• Estimated retail value: £861.75.
• Estimated tobacco duty loss: £522.33.

Ponty Mini Market, 8 High Street, Pontypridd

• Five complaints and eleven intelligence reports received.
• Nineteen test purchases involving illegal cigarettes, tobacco and vaping products.
• Intelligence suggested sales to children.
• Continued illegal trading despite repeated enforcement activity and advice from Trading Standards officers.

Posted on 22/09/2026