October 29, 2026 - 180 views
A shop in Pensarn has been ordered to close for three months after Conwy Trading Standards seized dangerous illicit and counterfeit tobacco products, cigarettes and vapes from hidden compartments.
Snowdonia Mini Market, on Marine Road, was served with a Closure Notice on 27 October following enforcement action carried out with support from Conwy County Borough Council’s CCTV operators.
Two days later, on 29 October, officers successfully applied to Llandudno Magistrates’ Court for a Closure Order, preventing the premises from trading for three months. The court also ordered £1,860 in costs to be paid to the council.
The action was carried out under Operation Nicosia, which targets the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products.
Conwy County Borough Council says the sale of illicit products can undermine legitimate businesses and expose consumers to products that may not meet legal safety standards.
Cllr Stephen Price, the council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Regulatory and Audit, said the authority was committed to protecting communities and ensuring businesses operated fairly.
He said businesses supplying illegal tobacco and vapes were not welcome in Conwy, adding that the council would use its legal powers to disrupt illegal activity and close premises where appropriate.
He also praised Trading Standards officers and the CCTV team for their work in helping identify and tackle the alleged illegal trading.
Illegal tobacco can be sold at substantially lower prices than legitimate products, potentially making smoking more accessible to children and young people. Counterfeit and unregulated products may also have unknown ingredients or fail to meet required standards.
Vapes sold legally in the UK must comply with specific requirements, including restrictions on nicotine strength and tank capacity. Products that fall outside those limits, or contain undeclared substances, can pose additional risks to consumers.
Conwy County Borough Council is urging anyone with information about suspected illegal tobacco sales to contact its Trading Standards team at trading.standards@conwy.gov.uk.
Suspected criminal activity can also be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The council says it will continue working with enforcement partners to tackle the sale of illicit tobacco and vaping products across the county.
