MORE than twenty thousand illegal cigarettes were seized in a raid in Newport last week which had support from national immigration forces and Gwent Police.

Newport City Council, which led the operation, has confirmed four commercial premises were searched last Thursday, January 18, including shops in prominent locations on Commercial Street and Stow Hill.

Two residential properties were also searched.

Enforcement officers seized no less than 21,780 illegal cigarettes and 6,500 illegal disposable vapes.

Three of the commercial premises have received maximum-length closure orders of three months from the magistrates court. These are:

• GG Vapes, 139 Commercial Road.

• GG Vapes #2, Westgate Buildings, Commercial Street.

• Bob Marley Vapes, 230 Stow Hill.

A spokesperson for Newport City Council said: “Four commercial premises and two residential properties were searched on Thursday 18 January in a multi-agency operation with Gwent Police and UK immigration.

South Wales Argus: GG Vapes on Commercial Road (Image: August 2023)GG Vapes on Commercial Road (Image: August 2023) (Image: Google)

“More than 6,500 illegal disposable vapes and 21,780 illegal cigarettes were seized in total.

“Three of the commercial premises were later made the subject of ASB closure orders for three months following applications by the council to the magistrates court.

“They are GG Vapes, 139 Commercial Road; GG Vapes #2, Westgate Buildings, Commercial Street and Bob Marley Vapes, 230 Stow Hill.

“It would not be appropriate to comment further due to ongoing investigations.”