EditorNine Swansea vape shops shut down in major crackdown on illegal sales
Three‑day operation across the city
The closures followed a three‑day enforcement operation led by Swansea Council’s Trading Standards team, supported by South Wales Police, HMRC, Home Office Immigration officers and specialist tobacco sniffer dogs.
Codenamed Operation Ceecee & Marvel, the crackdown targeted 14 shops across the city where earlier test purchases had already confirmed the sale of illicit products.
By the end of the week, nine premises had been shut down, 11 people arrested, and five vehicles linked to the trade seized.
Raids reveal hidden stashes
Among the shops raided was Bob Marley Vapes on St Helen’s Road, whose registered owner was jailed earlier this year for dealing in £100,000 worth of black‑market cigarettes and vapes. Despite that, the store had continued trading.
When officers returned last week, they found rucksacks and bags stuffed with illegal disposable vapes hidden in back rooms. Other shops were found to be using “stash cars” to store contraband, with one vehicle also containing cannabis products.
Shops closed during the operation included:
- Bob Marley Vapes, Asia Vapes and Kubus Vapes (St Helen’s Road)
- World of Vapes (Pontarddulais)
- Crystal Vapes (Gorseinon)
- Morriston Mini Market and Monsoon Vapes (Morriston)
- Snoop Vapes and Bob CBD Vapes (city centre)
Thousands of products seized
In total, officers confiscated:
- 971 packs of cigarettes (counterfeit value £4,855; retail value £15,000)
- 970 packets of hand‑rolling tobacco (counterfeit value £19,500; retail value £39,000)
- 2,292 vapes (estimated value £23,000)
All seized products will now be destroyed. Two of the shops have already been ordered by magistrates to remain closed for up to three months, with further hearings due next week.
Council: “Strong message to businesses”
Councillor Andrew Williams, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services (Performance), said:
“Our Trading Standards Team has made this issue a priority and has been able to gather large amounts of intelligence in terms of which shops in the city have previously been selling illegal goods to consumers, including children.
The latest operation has been very successful in our efforts to disrupt this type of trade and hopefully it will send out a very strong message to other businesses in the city — that they have a duty to ensure they are trading legally and not putting consumers at risk.”
Police: “Dangerous and linked to organised crime”
Inspector Andrew Hedley of South Wales Police added:
“Counterfeit tobacco and vapes are not only illegal, but they are incredibly dangerous for those who use them. Counterfeit cigarettes are unregulated, dangerous and fund serious organised crime. The vapes seized do not comply with UK safety standards and can pose a risk to consumers’ health.
These businesses were all given warnings to stop selling these items but disregarded them. They will now face prosecution for various offences as a result.”
Community impact
The raids drew crowds on St Helen’s Road, where locals watched as officers carried out searches and seized goods. For residents, the operation was a visible sign of action against a black market that has been openly trading in parts of the city.
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