A PONTYPRIDD shop has been forced to CLOSE with immediate effect 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 successfully granted and enforced at Gold Mini Market, Taff Street, Pontypridd, sending a clear message that the illegal supply of tobacco will not be tolerated in the County Borough!
On 28th May 2026, a Closure Order was granted at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, following a detailed and prolonged investigation into the premises.
The premises had been subject to significant monitoring and enforcement action since April 2025, with Trading Standards officers carrying out numerous inspections, intelligence-led visits and test purchases.
During the investigation, TEN successful test purchases were carried out where non-compliant cigarettes were sold to officers, often at significantly reduced prices.
Officers also seized nearly 100 illegal high-capacity vapes during an early inspection, highlighting wider non-compliance at the premises.
The Council received multiple complaints from members of the public regarding the sale of illegal tobacco, further reinforcing concerns about ongoing criminal activity at the shop.
Despite receiving extensive advice, warnings, and a formal cease-and-desist letter, the business continued to supply illegal tobacco products and showed a clear disregard for the law and the local community.
Evidence gathered during the investigation also suggested that products were deliberately concealed within the premises, a tactic frequently used to evade detection by enforcement officers.
As a result, the premises has now been boarded up and is required to remain CLOSED for a total of THREE months.
Some of the activity linked to this case formed part of wider partnership work under Operation CeCe – a national initiative between National Trading Standards and HMRC aimed at tackling the illegal tobacco trade.
This work is carried out alongside key partners including South Wales Police, reinforcing a strong multi-agency approach to tackling illegal trading across Rhondda Cynon Taf.
This latest closure demonstrates that Trading Standards officers are actively monitoring businesses across the County Borough and WILL take action where illegal activity is identified – no matter how long it takes to gather the evidence.
Councillor Bob Harris, 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 illegal tobacco trade remains a priority area for enforcement, as it poses risks to public health and contributes to organised criminal activity.
Trading Standards teams in Rhondda Cynon Taf use a variety of methods to detect illegal products, including intelligence-led operations and partnership working at a local and national level.
If members of the public have any information about people engaged in illegal trading activity, they are encouraged to report it directly to Trading Standards using the Illegal Activity Online Form.
For further information, please visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk/TradingStandards
Posted on 22/06/2026