A vape shop in Wellington has been ordered to close for three months following the sale of illegal tobacco products.
The shop, Danya Store of 18 High Street, Wellington, had been subject to various enforcement visits by Trading Standards, Police and HMRC following reports of illegal tobacco sales and the sale of vapes to children.
A visit in December 2025 resulted in the seizure of illegal tobacco from a vehicle linked to the shop. The vehicle was also seized by HMRC Officers and subsequently scrapped.
Several test purchases of illegal tobacco took place to confirm that the products were being sold from the shop.
Earlier this month, Trading Standards Officers discovered a sophisticated hydraulic floor concealment with the assistance of Tobacco Detection Dog, Griff.
Griff sniffed out the hidden compartment which was found to be filled with over £5,000 worth of illegal cigarettes and tobacco.
The shop was then served with a 48-hour closure notice preventing trading from the premises.
On Thursday 11 June 2026, Taunton Magistrates granted a three-month closure of the store.
No one attended the hearing to oppose the closure, but Magistrates commented that even if they had, they would have still deemed the closure necessary to prevent further criminal activity in relation to the sale of tobacco and vapes.
Trading Standards Operations Manager Alex Fry, said:
“Combatting the supply of illegal tobacco and vapes is a high priority for us. They are often sold at cheaper prices and the sellers are unlikely to care who they sell them to making them accessible to children and by stopping the sale of these products we help protect our communities and businesses that trade legally.”
Sergeant Jon O’Connor, of the Wellington Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:
“I am pleased that by working with our partners in Trading Standards and HMRC we have secured this closure order.
“Through a combination of community intelligence, test purchases and accounts from my team, we were able to provide a compelling body of evidence for the court to make its decision.
“The sale of vapes to underage children was a particularly aggravating factor in this case and we have responded directly to the concerns from parents and schools to safeguard our young people.
“Securing closures orders does take time because a lot of evidence is required so I want to thank the community of Wellington for their patience while this work was ongoing.”
The closure is the latest example of police and Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service working together to combat the illegal trade.
More than 30 shops across Devon, Somerset, and Torbay have been closed by police and Heart of the South West Trading Standards for selling illegal tobacco since last June.