A Welsh council's crackdown on illegal tobacco being sold in city shops
Operation Firecrest was a joint Newport council and South Wales Police scheme which started in October 2023. It has seen hundreds of thousands of illegal cigarettes seized as well as hand-rolled tobacco and vapes. As part of the crackdown, 25 properties were forced to stop trading via legal closure orders, the council say.
While the closure orders are only temporary, the council say they have been working with landlords to ensure that any tenants are operating legally. The city was recently dubbed the UK's worst for empty shops, something people hit back at.
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Over the course of the two year operation, the council say the following were seized:
481,790 illegal cigarettes
199.kg illegal hand-rolled tobacco (equivalent to 199,050 cigarettes)
26,856 illegal disposable vaping devices seized
25 properties were forced to cease trading by legal closure orders
Newport council say that in one shopping area, five premises were previously selling illegal tobacco and vapes and all were taken to court and magistrates issued closure orders.
Two have changed use, one is vacant and another was closed recently. A fifth has reopened but appears to be now trading lawfully, the council say.
In 2023, the council say an operation on Commercial Street saw a "significant amount of products" taken off sale.
Five shops were subject to closer orders and three people were charged with fraudulent trading to which they later pleaded guilty.
Councillor Mark Spencer said: "The illegal trade of tobacco and vapes is harmful to our residents and those communities where it is taking place. We will not tolerate it in our neighbourhoods or our city.
"Closure orders can only be for a limited period which is why the officers have been working with landlords. We are grateful to those who have taken their advice in relation to the type of tenants they have and urge others to be vigilant.
'We would welcome changes in the legislation which would strengthen the action that can be taken against those involved in the illegal trade and the premises they operate from."
The law has recently changed, and it is now illegal for businesses in Wales to sell or supply any single-use or disposable vapes.
All vaping devices must now be both rechargeable and refillable to be legally sold or distributed.
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