Four businesses in Rhondda Cynon Taf have been ordered to close after court Closure Orders were granted and enforced on the same day in a Trading Standards crackdown on illegal tobacco and vape sales.
The premises are 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.
Investigations involved intelligence-led visits, test purchasing, seizures and multi-agency operations with HM Revenue and Customs, South Wales Police and Operation CeCe.
Across the four cases, 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 council said 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, with a potential UK street value of around £10,000.
Officers also found hidden storage areas disguised within walls, fixtures and fittings. The businesses had faced repeated enforcement visits, complaints and formal advice, but illegal trading continued.
At Corner Shop in Porth, eight successful test purchases were made and the largest seizure included 179 packs of cigarettes and 37 pouches of tobacco from a concealment disguised as an electrical fuse board, with an estimated retail value of £3,750. At Express Convenience Store in Aberdare, seven successful test purchases were made and the largest seizure included more than 250 packs of cigarettes, 14 pouches of tobacco and 27 illegal vapes; intelligence included concerns about sales to children.
At Taff Mini Market in Pontypridd, which opened in July 2026, seven successful test purchases were carried out and cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco were found hidden within cooker hoods, with an estimated retail value of £861.75. At Ponty Mini Market on High Street, Pontypridd, officers acted on five complaints and eleven intelligence reports and made nineteen test purchases; intelligence suggested sales to children.
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.”
He added: “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.”
Harris said: “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 council is encouraging the public to report illegal trading to Trading Standards via its Illegal Activity Online Form.
