A repeat offender off-licence in Spalding has been caught selling the type of fake cigarettes linked to fatal house fires.
Police and Trading Standards officers raided Baltic in Winsover Road and seized 2,340 cigarettes.
Among the haul including non-duty paid and counterfeit goods were packets of fake Pect. Cigarettes of this type have been linked to a number of house fires, including the Spalding one which killed June Buffham in 2012.
The raid followed a test purchase by a member of a pool of Eastern Europeans helping the police crackdown.
Baltic has now been caught acting illegally four times since November.
The sale of cigarettes is not a licensable activity but, due to criminal behaviour, South Holland District Council revoked Karwan Ahmad’s premises licences for Baltic and Winsover, a neighbouring shop also caught acting illegally.
He then appealed the revocations, enabling him to continue selling alcohol until the case reaches court. That is scheduled for next month (August).
Sgt Kim Enderby, of Lincolnshire Police’s alcohol licensing team, said: “On four occasions since November, Baltic has been found to be selling smuggled goods – and goods clearly dangerous – to members of the public.
“Regardless of council efforts and our efforts they will continue doing it.”
In a previous raid, smuggled cigarettes were found in elaborate hiding places. This time, it was much more brazen. Sgt Enderby said there was “no attempt” to hide the criminal activity.
He reiterated his frustration at legislation which allows traders caught committing offences to continue selling alcohol during an appeal period.
He added: “I expect that we won’t actually get to court. I think they will drop it.
“That means it will be able to remain as a grocery store and probably continue selling illegal cigarettes.”
Sgt Enderby said criminal proceedings were ongoing.
Last month Saman Ahmad Mahmood withdrew an appeal against revocation of his premises licence for Sheep Market shop Nasza Biedronka after it was twice caught selling illegal cigarettes during the appeal process.
Meanwhile, South Holland and the Deepings MP John Hayes says he and deputy district council leader Malcolm Chandler – portfolio holder for strategy, governance and public protection, and a former chairman of the licensing authority – will soon be meeting Home Office officials to discuss “what is right and what is wrong” with the current legislation surrounding licensing.
He added: “In short, we have got to get tough.”
