Suspected illegal goods were seized at half of the Spalding shops and off-licences visited during multi-agency raids on Tuesday (Sep 28).
Several thousand cigarettes were removed from five premises for examination.
As criminal proceedings are under way, The Voice is not naming which shops are suspected of wrongdoing at this stage. However, we can confirm that some of the premises have previously been subject to police action/licence revocation by South Holland District Council.
This week’s multi-agency operation involved officers from Lincolnshire Police’s alcohol licensing team, Lincolnshire County Council Trading Standards and HM Revenue and Customs.
It targeted stores in Spalding and Boston.
And forced entry was made to a car parked close to a number of the Spalding shops, which intelligence indicated was involved in transportation of illegal products. A large quantity of suspected contraband and illegal cigarettes were recovered from the boot.
Sgt Kim Enderby, of the police’s alcohol licensing team, said: “Having three agencies visit together allows us to identify numerous potential offences, share information and cause as much disruption as possible to criminals involved in this activity.
“My team remain committed to taking every action possible to prevent stores in our county being used to sell items which are illegal and dangerous to members of the public who purchase them.”
He added: “Further similar operations are planned for the months ahead. I would welcome information from members of the local community who can identify stores who are operating in this way.”
The shops raided were closed while teams, assisted by sniffer dogs, searched the premises.
District councillor and cabinet member Gary Taylor, whose Castle ward covers much of the area where the operation took place, welcomed the approach.
He said: “It’s good news that enforcement action is being taken, particularly as it’s a concern to myself and the public. The issue has certainly been high profile with coverage in your paper and on social media.”
On Wednesday the premises licence of Faraidun Ahmed Abdulla for Super Sam in Commercial Road, Spalding, was reviewed by South Holland District Council’s licensing authority.
Police discovered “illegal tobacco products” during a raid in July.
Mr Abdulla has been the premises licence holder since September 6, but Ahmed Ishmail Mawlodi identified himself as the store owner at the time and has been the designated premises supervisor since December last year.
Police are hoping that the premises licence will be revoked on the grounds that the tobacco find undermined one of the four licensing objectives – prevention of crime and disorder and public safety.
The review was adjourned until November 17.
