Lincolnshire Trading Standards has secured a prosecution against Timurs Olehnovics for selling illicit tobacco from his Boston shop.
During an inspection of the Tauras LT ltd store at 44 West Street on 18 February last year, officers from Lincolnshire Trading Standards and Lincolnshire Police found over 5,000 cigarettes and 1kg of hand-rolling tobacco.
Later confirmed to be counterfeit, the stash of illegal goods was hidden in the kitchen area at the back of the shop.
The owner of the business, Mr Olehnovics, admitted he had been selling the cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco for around a month. During interview, he said he knew he should not be selling them but claimed he needed the extra cash.
He also admitted attempting to conceal the products in a 'hide' to avoid them being found by the likes of Trading Standards or the police.
At Boston Magistrates Court on Monday 7 June 2021, 34-year-old Timurs Olehnovics of King Street, Boston, was handed a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for two years; ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in the community; and fined a total of £1,318.73.
Since the seizure of the illicit tobacco, Mr Olehnovics has closed the store.
Alan Griffin from Lincolnshire Trading Standards, said:
"Mr Olehnovics was well aware that what he was doing was wrong, and the products he was peddling were dangerous.
"This latest prosecution is further evidence that Lincolnshire Trading Standards is serious about tackling illicit tobacco in the county. The sale of these products attracts other anti-social behaviour and criminality, and any information residents have about counterfeit and illegal cigarettes can help us stub it out."
If you any information, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report online at crimestoppers-uk.org.