Crime

Crackdown on shops selling illegal tobacco in Pembrokeshire

Published

1 year ago

March 20, 2025

A MULTI-AGENCY operation has resulted in the seizure of illegal tobacco, vapes and cash from two shops in Pembrokeshire, as part of a major crackdown on the illegal tobacco trade.

Specialist Regional Trading Standards Officers (from Operation CeCe), Pembrokeshire County Council’s Trading Standards Team and Dyfed-Powys Police, took part in the operation on Thursday March 13.

As well as a haul of illegal products from two cars used for concealing supplies to top up stock available in the stores, a large quantity of cash suspected to be from criminal activity was seized and one vehicle impounded by the police, for having no tax or insurance.

It is believed that many of the cigarettes seized would have ended up in the hands of children and young people in Wales’ poorest communities which are targeted by criminals selling illegal tobacco at a significantly reduced cost.

Councillor Jacob Williams, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services, said: “The trade in illegal tobacco has strong links to other criminal activity. It creates a cheap source of unregulated tobacco, and undermines the good work being done to help people of all ages quit smoking.

“Non-compliant vaping devices are also of concern, particularly as they are known to be popular among youngsters. They may contain a much higher amount of nicotine than permitted by UK Regulations, presenting a serious risk of harm because nicotine isn’t just highly addictive, it’s also a poison. Among the other toxic ingredients found in counterfeit vapes are arsenic, lead and formaldehyde.”

Around 6,000 children in Wales take up smoking every year and three out of four of those children will go on to be long-term smokers.

Smoking is an addiction that begins in childhood. A recent ASH Wales survey found that 76% of smokers in Wales tried their first cigarette before the age of 18.

There are also safety issues as counterfeit cigarettes may be contaminated with toxic elements such as arsenic and lead compared to genuine brands.

Since the launch of the crackdown four years ago, Trading Standards and HMRC have been gathering intelligence on criminal tobacco gangs and have seized over six million cigarettes. More raids across Wales are planned in the next few months.

“We need to keep tobacco out of the hands of children, cheap tobacco products make it easier for children to start smoking, as it is sold at pocket money prices by criminals who don’t care about age-restriction laws,” said officers from Operation CeCe.

“Operation CeCe has led to the biggest crackdown on illegal tobacco in Wales since devolution.”

Sergeant Claire Evans of Dyfed-Powys Police, added: “Working with our partner agencies with a robust approach has proven to be successful, and we will continue to target such establishments who are selling illegal contraband in Pembrokeshire, seizing cash, vehicles, and any other property linked to the running of these illegal operations.”

If you think that someone is selling illegal tobacco, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit http://crimestoppers-uk.org. Your information can help keep your community safe and healthy.

If you want to quit smoking, contact Help Me Quit on freephone 0800 085 2219 or visit https://www.helpmequit.wales/

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

20 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

20 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.