Vape shop shut down again after £40k haul of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco in Pontarddulais

Swansea Council has shut down World of Vapes on St Teilo Street just weeks after the business reopened from an earlier enforcement action. The shop was originally ordered to close for three months in September 2025 following a city‑wide crackdown on illicit vape sales.

Repeat test purchases lead to new closure

Trading Standards officers returned to the shop in January after the temporary closure notice expired. Test purchases were carried out and counterfeit tobacco was sold to officers.

A further search of the premises — including the flat above the shop — uncovered a large quantity of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco with a combined street value of more than £40,000.

The shop worker responsible, Many Shahabi Karimi, has since pleaded guilty to multiple offences relating to the fraudulent sale of counterfeit goods. He has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced later this month.

Council says enforcement will continue

Rhys Harries, Trading Standards Team Leader at Swansea Council, said the latest discovery shows the scale of the problem:

“Test purchasing will continue to take place and we will use all available legal powers to ensure these shops are not selling illegal vapes or counterfeit tobacco.”

Cllr Andrew Williams, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, accompanied officers on the latest visit.

He said:

“Our Trading Standards Team is working hard with local police to prevent these shops from trading in illegal and counterfeit goods. A number of those closed temporarily in September have not reopened and we are succeeding in disrupting this ongoing business.”

He added that the repeat closure of World of Vapes shows the council will continue to monitor premises even after temporary notices end:

“We will use our powers to close them down again.”

Part of wider crackdown on illegal vape sales

World of Vapes was one of nine shops shut during Operation Ceecee in September 2025 — a joint operation between Swansea Council and South Wales Police targeting the sale of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco across the city.

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Illegal haul uncovered in High Street shop

Trading Standards raided Snoop Vape Store on Swansea’s High Street in July last year, finding a “significant amount” of illegal tobacco and oversized disposable vapes. Some were concealed in a hidden compartment inside the shop, while others were discovered behind a secret panel in the toilet.

Officers seized 52 packets of illegal cigarettes and 714 disposable vapes during the initial search.

Flat search reveals even bigger stash

Investigators later located Arif’s flat in Griffith John Street, where they found an even larger cache: 1,353 packets of illegal tobacco, 468 illegal vapes and £1,690 in cash. Some of the stock had been hidden in the base of a bed.

Prosecutors said the total value of the illegal products was just under £45,000, with some vapes containing liquid reservoirs up to 20 times the legal limit.

Judge: ‘The seriousness cannot be overstated’

Judge Huw Rees, sentencing at Swansea Crown Court, said the sale of unlawful tobacco and vapes was an increasing problem across the UK and warned that the seriousness of the issue “cannot be overstated”. He said Arif’s operation showed clear planning and sophistication.

Arif, who came to the UK from Iraq in 2020, told the court he had been motivated by a desire to send money home to his ill mother. His barrister said he had found six months on remand “isolating” due to his limited English.

The court also heard Arif had previously worked in a Lincolnshire shop that was issued with a closure notice in January 2025 after illegal tobacco and vapes were found there.

Police: ‘These products are unsafe’

PC James Rees, South Wales Police, said:

“The issue of vape shops selling illegal e‑cigarettes and tobacco is one that we are working hard alongside Trading Standards in order to address in Swansea city centre.

These illegal products are unsafe and can cause significant health risks to those unsuspecting people who purchase these products from shops which knowingly operate in contradiction to the law.

Halkawt Arif played his part in that, and for that it is right that he is going to prison.”

Judge Rees ordered the forfeiture and destruction of all seized items. Arif will serve up to half his 16‑month sentence in custody before being released on licence. The judge noted he may be liable for deportation, but said that decision rests with the Home Office.

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Vape shop shut down after illegal stock and cannabis seized in Port Talbot

Mr. Vape, on Station Road, was hit with a closure order at Swansea Magistrates Court after repeated reports of suspicious and illegal activity — including claims the shop was selling illicit products to children.

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Trading Standards Team said the business had been linked to counterfeit and non‑tax‑paid tobacco, illegal cigarettes and oversized vapes. During a search in late 2025, officers seized illegal cigarettes, tobacco and a quantity of cannabis.

A District Judge approved the closure under Section 80 of the Anti‑Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The shop’s owner did not attend the hearing.

The crackdown follows the UK‑wide ban on single‑use disposable vapes, which became illegal to sell on 1 June 2025.

Cllr Cen Phillips, Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, said:

“Trading Standards work hard at protecting the public and the vulnerable from illegal tobacco and vape sales. Considerable work has gone into obtaining these closure orders, and the team will continue to use the resources at their disposal to combat this illegal trade.

I would urge anyone who cares about their community and their children’s health to report any information they have relating to illegal tobacco or vape sales.”

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Illegal vapes seized after shop sells to 15‑year‑old in Neath Port Talbot sting

The sale was made to a Police Youth Volunteer (PYV) taking part in a joint operation between South Wales Police’s Community Safety Team and Neath Port Talbot Council’s Trading Standards. The volunteers visited five businesses to test whether staff would follow the law on age‑restricted sales of fireworks and vapes.

Fireworks sellers passed the test

Two of the businesses were selling fireworks and both immediately asked the volunteers to confirm they were over 18 before refusing sales.

Vape sale leads to seizure

However, one shop sold a vape to the 15‑year‑old volunteer. Enquiries with the seller and store manager led to Trading Standards seizing more than 100 disposable vapes suspected to be illegal. After further scrutiny, 84 were later returned as legal, but the remainder were confiscated.

Investigations are now continuing with a local wholesaler reported to be the source of the illegal products, which have been banned since earlier this year.

Two further shops in Neath were also tested and refused sales after asking for ID as soon as the volunteers entered.

Police and council reaction

PCSO Andrew Neal said:

“The laws around the sale of fireworks and vapes to children are there for a reason – both can be extremely dangerous when in irresponsible hands. It is pleasing that the vast majority of the businesses visited during this operation were found to be compliant with legislation, yet it is equally disappointing to find that one business was still caught selling products to children and later found to be stocking illegal items. This was also a great showcase for the important work carried out by our Police Youth Volunteers – well done to those involved.”

Councillor Cen Phillips added:

“Enforcement agencies share intelligence on this kind of activity and coordinate action where possible to protect the public and to help prevent anti‑social behaviour. Trading Standards carry out routine test purchasing and advise businesses on their obligations in respect of underage sales and product safety, taking enforcement action where necessary to ensure that all products sold in our community are safe.”

Public advice

Members of the public who suspect illegal sales of age‑restricted goods are urged to call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.

#fireworks #illegalVapes #neathPortTalbot #neathPortTalbotCouncil #policeYouthVolunteer #southWalesPolice #tradingStandards

Four Neath Port Talbot vape shops shut down in crackdown on illegal sales

A District Judge at Swansea Magistrates Court approved three‑month closure orders against:

• Vape Land, Commercial Road, Taibach
• Vape Zone, Queen Street, Neath
• Classic Vape, Station Road, Port Talbot
• Pontardawe Vape, James Street, Pontardawe

It is the second time in six months that Vape Land has been issued with a closure order.

Pattern of illegal sales

The court heard that test purchases and inspections over the past two years had repeatedly found counterfeit cigarettes, non‑tax‑paid tobacco and oversized or non‑compliant vapes on sale.

In September, joint inspections by South Wales Police, Neath Port Talbot Council Trading Standards and Waste Enforcement Officers led to seizures of vapes, leaf tobacco and cigarettes. Further complaints were also received about sales to under‑18s.

Despite being notified of the council’s intention to apply for closure orders, the owners of Vape Land, Vape Zone and Pontardawe Vape did not attend their hearings. Classic Vape’s new owner contested the application, but the judge accepted the council’s evidence that the business had changed hands repeatedly following inspections.

What Trading Standards do

Trading Standards teams work to protect consumers and communities by tackling illegal, unsafe or unfair trading practices. Their work includes:

• Carrying out test purchases to check if shops sell age‑restricted products like tobacco, alcohol or vapes to under‑18s
• Inspecting premises for counterfeit or non‑compliant goods
• Seizing unsafe or illegal products, including oversized or disposable vapes
• Taking enforcement action through the courts, including closure orders
• Advising businesses on compliance with consumer protection laws

Residents can report concerns about illegal sales to their local council’s Trading Standards team.

Wider crackdown

The closures come just days after Swansea Magistrates extended closure orders on vape shops in the city, underlining a wider regional clampdown on illegal sales.

Since June 2025, the sale of disposable single‑use vapes has been banned across the UK. The ban was introduced to tackle environmental concerns and to protect children and young people, with many illicit products found in child‑appealing packaging and flavours.

Council response

Cllr Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, said:

“Trading Standards work hard at protecting the public and the vulnerable from illegal tobacco and vape sales. Considerable work has gone into obtaining these closure orders, and the team will continue to use the resources at their disposal to combat this illegal trade.”

He urged residents to report any information about illegal tobacco or vape sales to the council.

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#ClassicVape #CllrCenPhillips #counterfeitCigarettes #illegalTobacco #illegalVapes #Neath #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #Pontardawe #PontardaweVape #PortTalbot #QueenStreet #Taibach #TradingStandards #VapeLand

Swansea magistrates extend closure of vape shops in crackdown on illegal sales

Eight vape shops across Swansea will remain shut for up to three months after magistrates backed council action against the sale of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco.

The closures follow Operation Ceecee & Marvel, a three‑day joint operation led by Swansea Council’s Trading Standards with support from South Wales Police, HMRC, Home Office Immigration officers and tobacco detection dogs.

Raids lead to extended closures

Officers targeted 14 shops where earlier test purchases had confirmed illicit sales. Nine were issued with temporary 48‑hour closure notices while the council sought longer orders through the courts. Magistrates have now approved applications to extend the closure of eight shops, while the owner of the ninth has opted to shut down permanently.

The shops ordered to remain closed are:

• Morriston Mini Market, 86 Woodfield Street, Morriston
• Crystal Vapes, 95 High Street, Gorseinon
• World of Vapes, 89 St Teilo Street, Pontarddulais
• Bob Marley Vapes, 75 St Helen’s Road, Swansea city centre
• Asia Vapes, 40 St Helen’s Road, Swansea city centre
• Kubus Vapes, 31b St Helen’s Road, Swansea city centre
• Bob CBD Vapes, 29 Union Street, Swansea city centre
• Snoop Vapes, 71 High Street, Swansea city centre

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Illegal goods seized and arrests made

The raids led to the seizure of 971 packs of cigarettes, 970 packets of hand‑rolling tobacco and 2,292 vapes, with a combined retail value of more than £77,000. Five vehicles linked to the shops were also confiscated, and 11 people were arrested in connection with the sales.

Council and police warn of risks

Andrew Williams, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services (Performance), said:

“This council is taking the sale of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco in Swansea very seriously. Our Trading Standards Team has made this issue a priority… I’m delighted that magistrates have supported our applications to extend the closure of eight shops in the city.”

Inspector Andrew Hedley, South Wales Police, added:

“Counterfeit tobacco and vapes are not only illegal, but they are incredibly dangerous for those who use them. 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.”

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#AsiaVapes #BobCBDVapes #BobMarleyVapes #Business #CllrAndrewWilliams #counterfeitTobacco #CrystalVapes #Gorseinon #HighStreet #illegalVapes #KubusVapes #Morriston #MorristonMiniMarket #Pontarddulais #retail #SnoopVapes #SouthWalesPolice #StHelensRoad #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #TradingStandards #UnionStreet #vapeShop #vapeShopClosure #vapes #WoodfieldStreet #WorldOfVapes

Nine 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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#BobCBDVapes #BobMarleyVapes #CllrAndrewWilliams #counterfeitCigarettes #counterfeitTobacco #Gorseinon #illegalVapes #KubusVapes #Morriston #MorristonMiniMarket #Pontarddulais #SnoopVapes #SouthWalesPolice #StHelensRoad #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCouncil #TradingStandards #vapes #WorldOfVapes

Illegal vapes, fake dolls and tobacco stash seized in Neath Port Talbot raids

Trading Standards officers, working alongside the council’s Waste Enforcement Team and South Wales Police, carried out a series of raids after receiving intelligence about the sale of illicit tobacco and illegal vapes.

Illicit tobacco was discovered hidden in business premises and vehicles parked nearby, with sniffer dogs used to detect the concealments. Officers also found disposable vapes openly on sale, along with counterfeit “Labubu” dolls which are believed to flout safety laws and could pose risks to children.

A follow‑up visit to another premises uncovered further illegal vapes and fake toys. Two vehicles were seized during the operation, which also led to the identification of a man who had failed to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice for waste offences. He has since paid the outstanding fine.

The raids form part of a wider crackdown by Trading Standards in recent months, which has already seen closure orders and prosecutions. One case is due for sentencing at Swansea Crown Court in October.

Councillor Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, said the results showed the value of agencies working together:

“This operation demonstrates the benefits of inter‑agency information sharing and cooperation.

These businesses are wilfully undermining efforts to protect the health and safety of the public at large by selling dangerous and illegal products. By hiding their wares they are fully aware of the illegality of their actions.”

Investigations into the seized goods are continuing.

Anyone with information about the sale of illicit tobacco or illegal vapes is urged to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

#CllrCenPhillips #fakeLabubu #fakeToys #illegalCigarettes #illegalVapes #IllicitTobacco #Labubu #NeathPortTalbot #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #TradingStandards #WasteEnforcement

London vape boss ordered to repay £325k after Swansea trading standards bust

Amandeep Kukreja, 28, of Kingsbridge Road, Southall, was the director of Norwood Trading Ltd and owner of Buddha Vapes. He admitted a due diligence offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 after Swansea Council’s trading standards team uncovered his role in a multi‑million‑pound illegal vape operation.

Swansea investigation leads to London raid

The case began with a 2022–23 investigation into illegal vape sales in Swansea, which led to the jailing of Rebel Vapes owner Kashif Iqbal from Bonymaen. Phone evidence from that case identified Kukreja as a supplier.

In February 2024, Swansea trading standards officers, supported by the Metropolitan Police under ‘Operation Thor’, executed a search warrant at Buddha Vapes in Southall.

In a rear storage area, officers found 120,000 illegal vapes — more than they could fit on the lorries brought from Wales. Many had oversized tanks of up to 20ml, far above the legal 2ml limit, and offered up to 15,000 “puffs” compared to the 600–700 of legal devices. Most were imported from China.

Court: “Epidemic” of vape shops

Swansea Crown Court heard the £778,851 benefit figure in the case reflected only the seized stock, not the wider sales network. Kukreja refused to answer police questions or provide the PIN to his phone.

Judge Geraint Walters described an “epidemic” of vape shops in Swansea and other towns, praising the council’s proactive stance. He said much of the seized stock would have been sold to children and warned: “Nobody yet knows the health impacts of using vapes — that day of reckoning may come.”

The judge said that had Kukreja been charged with fraud, he could have faced years in prison, but accepted the “practical” decision to proceed under consumer protection laws given the cost of complex prosecutions.

Sentence and confiscation order

Kukreja was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. Under a Proceeds of Crime confiscation order, he must pay £325,000 within three months or face three years in prison in default. The court heard he will have to sell a property to meet the order.

Council: “Stamping out harmful products”

Cllr David Hopkins, Swansea Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Service and Performance, said:

“Shop owners selling illegal products with age restrictions to underage children are not only breaking the law, but also showing a complete lack of awareness about the consequences.

Our trading standards team has continued the excellent work it has already done in recent years to stamp out the sale of these potentially harmful products. This operation was a great success in stemming the flow of illegal vapes into Swansea and beyond.”

#illegalVapes #London #Southall #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #TradingStandards

Illegal disposable vapes seized from Neath Port Talbot shops

Neath Port Talbot Council Trading Standards have confiscated dozens of illegal disposable vapes still being sold in local shops — despite a nationwide ban that came into force on 1 June 2025.

Acting on intelligence, officers visited two premises in the area and discovered 67 single-use vapes on sale. The businesses voluntarily surrendered the items, which will now be safely disposed of in line with environmental regulations.

The ban, introduced under the Environmental Protection (Single Use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024, is part of a wider UK effort to reduce environmental harm and protect children from underage vaping. Disposable vapes are considered non-compliant if they are not refillable or rechargeable, or if their coils and pods cannot be easily replaced.

“The ban on disposable vapes is there to protect the public and the environment and has been well publicised,” said Cllr Cen Phillips, Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing. “Disposable vapes are a significant problem, as they contain hazardous materials which are difficult to safely dispose of and because they are frequently purchased by under-18s.”

The businesses involved will receive formal warning letters, with potential penalties including fixed fines or prosecution if found selling banned products again.

Residents with concerns about illegal vape sales or underage purchases are urged to contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 (or 0808 223 1144 for Welsh speakers), or email [email protected].

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