A Pontypridd shop has been ordered to close for three months following a successful investigation into the illegal sale of cigarettes and tobacco products by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Trading Standards team.
A Closure Order has been granted and enforced at Gold Mini Market on Taff Street, with the premises now boarded up following a lengthy investigation into unlawful trading activity.
The order was granted at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court on 28 May 2026 under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
According to the council, the business had been subject to significant monitoring and enforcement action since April 2025. Trading Standards officers carried out numerous inspections, intelligence-led visits and test purchases over the course of the investigation.
During that period, officers conducted ten successful test purchases in which non-compliant cigarettes were sold, often at significantly reduced prices.
Nearly 100 illegal high-capacity vapes were also seized during an early inspection of the premises, highlighting wider concerns around compliance.
The council said it had received multiple complaints from members of the public regarding the sale of illegal tobacco products, adding to concerns about ongoing criminal activity at the shop.
Despite receiving advice, warnings and a formal cease-and-desist letter, the business continued to supply illegal tobacco products, according to investigators.
Evidence gathered during the operation also suggested products were being deliberately concealed within the premises, a tactic commonly used to avoid detection by enforcement officers.
Some of the activity linked to the case formed part of Operation CeCe, a national initiative between National Trading Standards and HMRC aimed at tackling the illegal tobacco trade.
The operation was carried out in partnership with organisations including South Wales Police as part of wider efforts to combat illegal trading across Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Councillor Bob Harris, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said:
“I hope this closure sends a clear message that illegal tobacco will not be tolerated in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
“This premises was subject to repeated enforcement activity over a sustained period, and despite clear warnings and intervention, continued to break the law.
“Illegal tobacco not only undermines legitimate businesses, but it is often linked to wider criminal activity and avoids important safety regulations – meaning people don’t know what they are buying.
“Our Trading Standards team will continue to work tirelessly with partners to clamp down on illegal trading and protect our communities.”
The council said the closure demonstrates that Trading Standards officers are actively monitoring businesses across the county borough and will take action where illegal activity is identified, regardless of how long investigations take to gather evidence.
