Court hearing due to take place on April 17 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court

TWO vape shops in Pembrokeshire are facing possible closure following allegations of nuisance and disorder, The Herald can reveal.

KR Vapes in Charles Street, Milford Haven, and Vape Zone in Sovereign House, Haverfordwest, are both the subject of closure order applications due to be heard tomorrow (Thursday, Apr 17) at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

Court documents show that the applications have been brought under section 80 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, following the service of closure notices on both premises on Wednesday (Apr 16).

KR Vapes, located at 63 Charles Street in Milford Haven, appears first on the court list, with the case listed as a first hearing at 10:00am.

Immediately following is the application against Vape Zone at 33 High Street, Haverfordwest.

Both applications have been submitted by the same informant, understood to be a local authority or law enforcement officer, seeking to close the businesses on grounds of ongoing disorder or serious nuisance.

What is a closure order

Under section 80 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, a closure order can be made by a magistrates’ court if it is satisfied that:

A person has engaged, or is likely to engage, in disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour on the premises;

The use of the premises has resulted in, or is likely to result in, serious nuisance to members of the public; or

There has been, or is likely to be, disorder near those premises associated with the use of the premises.

Closure orders can prohibit access to the premises entirely, or limit it to certain individuals or times. If granted, they can last for up to three months initially and may be extended to a maximum of six months.

The orders are designed to quickly tackle locations that are linked to anti-social behaviour, including drug use, violence, noise, or criminal activity. Breaching a closure order is a criminal offence.

Community concern

The use of this legislation is often seen as a sign of significant concern from authorities, as it bypasses longer civil proceedings and is designed to bring rapid relief to affected communities.

The Herald has contacted both vape shops for comment.

265 premises raided in UK-wide operation

SENEDD Member Gareth Davies MS has welcomed a national crackdown on high street money laundering, following a series of targeted police raids on businesses across the UK.

The police and trading standards also targeted at least one shop in Charles Street Milford Haven last month (Mar 13), the Herald understands that the authorities were looking for counterfeit or illegally imported cigarettes and tobacco. We are still awaiting an update on the outcome of that raid.

The nationwide operation, however, is called Operation Machinize. It is being led by the National Crime Agency (NCA), saw coordinated action at 265 premises including barbershops, car washes, vape shops and American sweet stores. Officers made 35 arrests, froze bank accounts holding over £1 million, and placed 97 suspected modern slavery victims under protection. The NCA estimates that up to £12 billion of criminal cash is laundered in the UK every year.

The large-scale operation follows warnings first raised by Mr Davies in the Senedd on 7 February 2024. During that debate, he highlighted an unusual concentration of cash-only barbershops and vape shops in his constituency, suggesting links to organised crime and illicit financial activity.

At the time, his comments were dismissed by Labour Senedd Members and Welsh Government ministers. Labour MS for Ogmore, Huw Irranca-Davies, said during the debate:
“[…] to brand whole swathes of our high street businesses as potential criminal money-launderers is a terrible slur on the many local businesses who are trying to create jobs and make a living and bring life to our towns.”

However, growing public concern in parts of Wales appears to support Mr Davies’ earlier claims. In Porth, South Wales, a 14th barbershop application was recently submitted in a town with a population of just 6,000 — raising fresh questions about the scale and purpose of some high street businesses.

Mr Davies has now challenged Welsh Labour to confirm whether they acknowledge the seriousness of the issue, especially given the NCA operation took place under a UK Labour Government. He is also calling on the Welsh Government to provide support and guidance to local councils dealing with suspected laundering.

Speaking following the raids, Gareth Davies said: “When I first raised my constituents’ concerns about the rise of cash-only businesses on our high streets, they were met with pearl-clutching by Labour members who dismissed them outright.

“I welcome the police crackdown, a year on from when I first sounded the alarm, and I hope that Operation Machinize will deliver meaningful results.

“I would like the Welsh Government to clarify whether they now accept this is a real and growing issue, and to set out how they plan to equip local authorities to tackle it head on.”

A MAN who allowed members of an organised crime group to set up a large-scale cannabis factory at his rural property has been jailed.

Martin Evans, 37, appeared at Swansea Crown Court where he claimed to be unaware of the extent of the illegal operation. However, the court heard that by renting out part of his home near Kidwelly, Evans had become a “facilitator” for the criminal enterprise.

During a warrant executed in February under Operation Scotney, police discovered nearly 200 cannabis plants—worth up to £264,100—being cultivated at the property.

Further investigation of Evans’s mobile phone revealed incriminating messages referencing police drones and discussions about increasing heat and humidity to accelerate plant growth, confirming his knowledge and involvement.

Evans was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Another man, Fatjon Xafa, who was actively cultivating the plants, received a 29-week prison sentence.

Detective Chief Inspector Rich Lewis said: “I am in no doubt that Evans knew exactly what was going on at his home. He clearly hoped the rurality of the location would allow the operation to go undetected, and he would have allowed it to continue had we not intervened.”

Police said the bust was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle organised drug networks operating in west Wales.