TRADING Standards officers in Swansea have recovered illegal tobacco with an estimated value of more than £300,000 since the start of 2026, a senior councillor said.
The team has also secured closure orders against four premises with further investigations ongoing, seized more than 15 vehicles used to store or transport illegal goods, and seized cash suspected of being the proceeds of criminal activity.
Cllr Andrew Williams, cabinet member for development, provided the update in response to a written question by four councillors about what Trading Standards was doing to combat issues around vape shops and counterfeit goods in the county.
His written reply said Swansea currently recorded the highest levels of illicit tobacco and vape seizures in Wales but that this reflected the sustained enforcement work of Trading Standards and other organisations rather than indicating a greater problem in the county than elsewhere.
Cllr Williams said Swansea has had the same rapid growth in vape shops as across the UK and that it has worked with businesses to provide advice and guidance before moving to enforcement where breaches were identified.
He said the illegal market has evolved a lot, particularly following the ban on single-use vapes in 2025.
He said: “Some premises have become involved in the sale of illicit and counterfeit tobacco products, illegal vapes, and substances containing THC (a chemical in cannabis) and cannabis.”
A multi-agency operation over three days last autumn, said Cllr Williams, resulted in nine premises being closed for offences relating to illegal tobacco, illegal vapes and underage sales.
“Since then, further intelligence-led investigations have continued, with additional closure orders secured and further cases progressing through the courts,” he said.
“Criminal groups are increasingly sophisticated in their methods, using concealed storage areas, stash vehicles and off-site premises to hide illegal goods.”
He said Trading Standards, which worked with South Wales Police, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and immigration enforcement, has adapted accordingly and that the council would continue supporting legitimate businesses and protecting residents.
A judge in Swansea commended the authority last week while sentencing two men who had previously pleaded guilty to participating in a fraudulent business following a raid of a shop by Trading Standards in November 2025. Swansea Crown Court heard the officers seized a “large quantity” of illegal tobacco, cigarettes, and other products with a retail value of more than £31,000.
A closure notice was served on the shop but a subsequent raid in June this year of the premises and a flat next door unearthed more illicit tobacco products.
Cllr Wendy Lewis, one of the four councillors who’d asked for an update, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) she welcomed Trading Standards’ work “100%” and that she was worried about young people using vapes.
“I think the general public will be pleased that this happened,” she said.
Although many vape shops operate legally, Cllr Lewis said she had a feeling of “oh no” when another vape shop opened. “We didn’t have cigarette shops,” she said.
