Tonypandy shop My Pandy shut after illegal tobacco and vapes seizure

A Closure Order has been enforced at My Pandy, 110 Dunraven Street, Tonypandy, after Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's Trading Standards team investigated the illegal sale of cigarettes, tobacco and vaping products. This follows four other closures across the county borough the previous week.

Trading Standards received seven complaints and six intelligence reports about the shop, including allegations of tobacco sales to children. Officers carried out seven successful test purchases, with cigarettes repeatedly sold below the minimum Tobacco Duty rate. Despite advice, warnings and enforcement visits, the business continued trading illegally, and tobacco products were found deliberately concealed on the premises. On 4 September 2026, a joint operation with Operation CeCe, HM Revenue and Customs and South Wales Police seized 363 packs of cigarettes, two pouches of hand-rolling tobacco and 21 high-capacity disposable vapes, with an estimated retail value of £5,660 and an estimated tobacco duty loss of £3,561.40.

Councillor Bob Harris, Cabinet Member for Communities, said the closure sends a clear message that illegal tobacco and vape sales will not be tolerated in Rhondda Cynon Taf. He noted that no licence is currently required to sell tobacco in Wales, meaning such cases require extensive evidence gathering, repeated test purchases and partnership working before court action. My Pandy has been boarded up with support from the council's Corporate Estates Team. Anyone with information on illegal tobacco, cigarette or vaping sales is encouraged to report it through the council's Illegal Activity Online Form.

(Source：Wales 247)