Around 120,000 more illegal cigarettes and vapes have been safely removed from Lincolnshire’s streets – with shocking footage showing the lengths criminals are taking to hide them.
Lincolnshire Trading Standards officers seized the dangerous items earlier this week during inspections carried out at four shops in Grantham and Bourne.
The inspections took place as part of Operation Machinize - the ongoing National Crime Agency-coordinated operation to tackle money laundering and criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses.
With the assistance of star sniffer dog, Skye, and her handler from Wagtail UK, illicit tobacco and cigarettes were seized from three of the shops:
- Quick Shop, North Road, Bourne – where a whole room had been constructed with the sole purpose of concealing illegal cigarettes and vapes. As shown in the video below, the number of products seized was vast
- Mini Shop, High Street, Grantham – where a hidden room had been built under a staircase. It was accessed through a hidden door secured by electro- magnets. One man was arrested at the scene
- Stop Mini Market, St Peters Hill, Grantham – where a concealment containing illegal cigarettes was found in the wall.
Officers estimate the total amount seized from the three shops to be in the region of 120,000 cigarettes and vapes. Of particular concern was the presence of vapes containing cannabis in two of the premises – an increasing trend.
The tough tackling multi-agency operation was carried out by Lincolnshire Trading Standards, Lincolnshire Police’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT) and Home Office Immigration and Enforcement officers.
Cllr Alex McGonigle, executive councillor for community safety at Lincolnshire County Council, said:
“The amount of illegal cigarettes and vapes the council’s Trading Standards officers uncovered in these three shops alone was staggering, and really illustrates the scale of the problem that is being seen across the country.
“In Lincolnshire we will continue to take the strongest possible action to keep our residents safe, removing these harmful products from our high streets and upholding the fair and legal trade practised by hardworking, law-abiding businesses.”
A hidden room concealing illegal tobacco products was discovered at Mini Shop in Grantham
Andy Wright, principal trading standards officer at Lincolnshire County Council, said:
“We know that where there is a prevalence of shops selling these illegal goods there is an increased public concern relating to anti-social behaviour, and an increased risk of violent crime. Our records show that shops selling illegal cigarettes and vapes are 14 times more likely to sell to children than law-abiding premises. We are now starting to seize vapes containing cannabis on a regular basis.
“The shops identified in this operation will be fully investigated by my officers. In appropriate circumstances we, and Lincolnshire Police, will use each and every legislative measure at our disposal to stop the illegal trade.”
PC Karl Cinavas of Grantham NPT, added: “We continue to work closely with partners to confront the challenge of illegal tobacco head on. These sellers are fully aware they are breaking the law, as shown by the extraordinary lengths they go to hide their activity – including constructing hidden rooms, as in this case.
“Seizing these harmful products helps protect health, disrupt organised crime, and tackle anti-social behaviour, but we need your help. We encourage anyone with information to report it so we can keep Lincolnshire safe.“
Reporting is easy and 100% anonymous. Call Crimestoppers today: 0800 555 111, or give information online.