Three more vape shops on a busy city centre street in Swansea have been forced to close after being caught selling illegal and counterfeit goods.
Swansea Council’s Trading Standards Team carried out an operation recently, accompanied by local police and immigration officers, to stop the sale of counterfeit tobacco and vapes in shops across the city.
The latest raid of three shops (VH Vape Hub, Kalar Market and Midtown Vape Shop)
on Mansel Street, resulted in a significant amount of counterfeit tobacco and vapes being seized by Trading Standards.
Local police also seized quantities of illegal drugs from the shop premises during the raid.
Following the raid, all three shops were issued with temporary closure notices by Trading Standards. Magistrates have since extended the closure period and ordered all three shops to close for three months.
Andrew Williams, Cabinet Member for Development, welcomed the latest action by Trading Standards and police.
Cllr Williams said, “The latest closures are another great example of the work our Trading Standards is doing to disrupt and close down businesses that are operating illegally.
“It’s completely unacceptable for many of these vape shops to operate in the way they are, selling counterfeit goods, particularly to children.”
South Wales Police Chief Inspector Andrew Hedley, said: “This result sends a clear message that businesses choosing to operate outside the law can expect to face coordinated enforcement action.
“Counterfeit and illicit products undermine legitimate businesses, pose potential risks to public health, and can be linked to wider criminality.
“By working closely with Trading Standards and our enforcement partners, we are using all available powers to disrupt those involved and make Swansea a safer place for everyone.”
The latest shop closures follow on from a significant effort by the Council’s Trading Standards Team which has carried out a prolonged campaign against the sale of illegal and counterfeit vapes and tobacco for a number of years in the city.
In June 2026, two vape shops in Pontarddulais and the city centre were closed after being caught selling illegal vapes and in October 2025, a total of nine vape shops including a large number along St Helen’s Road in the city centre were also forced to close by magistrates.
Cllr Williams added: “Most towns and cities across the UK have seen a steady rise in the number of vape shops opening. Our focus is to ensure these shops are operating legally and importantly, not selling products to children under the age of 18.
“Our ongoing work involves gathering intelligence through test purchasing to determine which shops are selling counterfeit products.
“Working alongside local police, our Trading Standards has been able to disrupt these businesses and provide sufficient information to enable courts to close them.
“This work will continue in a bid to protect the people of Swansea.”
