Shops in Boston and Lincoln closed by Lincolnshire Police and trading standards over illegal tobacco and vapes
Three shops have been closed for selling illegal cigarettes and vapes.
The businesses were dealt with at hearing in Lincoln Magistrates’ Court following a police operation.
Officers visited the Dubai Market at 30 West Street, Boston, the Best for 1, at 1 St George's Street, Boston, and PhD at 50A High Street, Lincoln.
Vapes and cigarettes were seized and closure notices issued.
Yesterday (Thursday, October 3), the court issued full closure orders for all three premises.
Insp Ian Cotton from Boston neighbourhood policing team said: “Residents had expressed concerns about products being sold and anti-social behaviour associated with these premises.
“We assessed the problem and have been collaborating with multiple agencies in the background, to gather the appropriate evidence to achieve the closure orders granted by Lincoln Magistrates’ Court yesterday.”
He added that they were grateful for tip offs and that although immediate action might not be seen, they would be working behind the scenes to gather the right evidence to present in court.
Neighbourhood Inspector Dan Gilmore for Lincoln North East said: “This is the 14th closure in Lincoln in the past 12 months. If shops continue to flout the law, we will continue to work with Trading Standards to close them down.”
Closure orders last three months and those imposed yesterday are in place until midnight on January 2.
Andy Wright, principal Trading Standards officer said: “The sale of these goods undermines the interests of law-abiding retailers whose prosperity is hindered by these criminals.
“Premises selling counterfeit goods commonly employ people with no legal right to work in the UK.
“It is often found that people working in these shops have been trafficked and coerced into criminality by those focused on profit making.
“The people who are driving these sorts of schemes are often not in the shops themselves. The people within the shops are quite often victims in their own right.”
Each packet of illegal cigarettes sold costs the Treasury about £8 in lost revenue. There is also concern that illegal vapes are often designed to appeal to under 18s.
Anyone breaking the closure order - which does allow for maintenance of the building - could receive up to 51 weeks in prison and a fine.