Police and Trading Standards officials found ‘large quantities’ of illegal cigarettes in a car spotted driving ‘suspiciously’ while raiding seven Spalding premises on Saturday, August 22.
Barber shops were among the premises raided, though officers said they found no evidence of criminal activity in any of the searches.
A car driving ‘suspiciously’ in the town did catch their attention though.
It was later found abandoned with two suitcases worth of illegal cigarettes inside.
Police have asked for the owner of the vehicle to come forward.
A spokesman for South Holland Police, said: “Barber shops and retail premises across South Holland have been visited by officers and Trading Standards as part of a targeted operation.
“On Saturday August 22, assisted by a specialist tobacco detection dog, officers visited seven premises in the Spalding and surrounding areas.
“Pleasingly, at the time of the visits, no evidence of criminality was identified within the stores inspected.
“However, the day was not entirely without excitement.
“At one location, officers observed a vehicle being driven suspiciously. The driver of the vehicle promptly decided they had other places to be and drove away, temporarily evading police while allegedly committing a number of road traffic offences in the process.
“A short while later, the vehicle was found abandoned on Chancery Court, having apparently parted company with its owner. Inside, officers discovered two large suitcases containing suspected counterfeit cigarettes.
“The vehicle itself was also seized after checks suggested it may not have been covered by valid insurance.
“A message for the absent owner…
“If you’ve recently misplaced a vehicle and are wondering where it might have gone, we may be able to help.
“Better still, if you would like to be reunited with your vehicle, please contact Spalding’s Neighbourhood Policing Team via [email protected]. We will be delighted to provide the necessary paperwork and guidance required to begin the recovery process.
“After all, every vehicle deserves to find its way home.”
South Holland’s neighbourhood policing sergeant Callum Corder said: “Multi-agency operations like this are vital in helping us keep our communities safe.
“By working closely with our partner agencies, we can identify and disrupt criminal activity, safeguard vulnerable people, and tackle the issues that matter most to local residents.
“These proactive efforts send a clear message that criminal behaviour will not be tolerated, while helping to make our neighbourhoods safer places to live, work and visit.”
Trading Standards principal Trading Standard pfficer, Andy Wright, said: “When we found the vehicle we were concerned that there was a suitcase in plain view on the rear passenger seat.
“Our tobacco detection dog indicated the vehicle contained high value items. In order to safeguard the contents, I’m afraid we had to break the window.
“We currently have two suitcases containing large quantities of illegal cigarettes and tobacco that were found on the back seat and boot.
“We are concerned by the number of cigarettes and tobacco the driver had in his possession. I ask him to contact us so that we can discuss matters further.”
