A Spalding shop has had its premises licence revoked after contraband cigarettes were seized.
The action against Nasza Biedronka, of Sheep Market, was taken by South Holland District Council on Friday.(January 29)
After hearing all the evidence, the council’s licensing sub-committee agreed with the police that the premises had been actively involved in the illegal sale of smuggled products. Because of this they believed they were failing to promote the licensing objectives and their licence was revoked.
Lincolnshire Police, in partnership with Trading Standards officers, carried out a plain-clothes test purchase operation. A police volunteer was able to enter the store and purchase a packet of foreign branded cigarettes.
A warrant was then obtained from the magistrates court and on December 2, 2015, the premises were raided and a large quantity of smuggled cigarettes was found inside.
Sgt Kim Enderby, of Lincolnshire Police’s alcohol licensing department, said: “Unacceptable criminal activity was centred on this store and the way in which the store was being run was clearly undermining the licensing objectives.
“The decision of the sub-committee to revoke the premises licence sends a clear message to other stores considering selling products of this type. None of these cigarettes would have been available from a legitimate wholesaler; they are distributed by criminal gangs via the illegal black market. The store potentially put the health of its customers at risk, as well as gaining unfair advantage over neighbouring legitimate stores.
“We are continuing to do visits of this type across the county and I would appeal to anyone with information of this nature to contact us.
“Lincolnshire Police are aware of the local communities’ concerns around stores behaving in this way and hope this offers reassurance that positive action is being taken against those who break the law. We remain committed to the disruption, investigation and prosecution of all criminal behaviour being conducted on our licensed premises.”
There is a 21-day appeal process, after which, if no appeal is submitted, then the revocation for Nasza Biedtonka comes into force.
