Two Boston shops ordered to shut down over criminal activity

Two shops in Boston have been ordered to close immediately for three months after illegal cigarettes, vapes and alcohol were uncovered at both premises, stated reports on Tuesday (31).

According to local reports, Lincoln Magistrates Court on Monday (30) has issued closure orders against Bucharest grocery shop on West Street and King Power on Horncastle Road in Boston. The order came after a request from Lincolnshire Trading Standards for causing “a serious nuisance to members of the public”.

The shops were two of five in Boston targeted by Lincolnshire Trading Standards and Lincolnshire Police’s licensing team in a crackdown against the sale of illegal cigarettes and alcohol.

In all five inspected premises, the owners had taken extensive measures to hide their illegal products from officers, including false walls, ceilings and floors, hydraulic lifts, and electrically operated magnetic locks, reports said, adding that in one shop, chilli powder was even used around the products in an attempt to distract detection dogs.

Cigarettes found in the shops during these raids were a mix of counterfeit, unsafe, and non-duty paid.

Vapes seized during the raids were found to be far in excess of the legal nicotine strength and well above the permitted size. One such vape contained the same nicotine content as 450 standard king size cigarettes.

Lincolnshire Trading Standards are now pursuing orders against the other three premises and will fully investigate all criminal offences.

The raids come just weeks after Lincolnshire Trading Standards launched Operation June – a campaign to tackle illicit tobacco sales.

Reports quoted Andy Wright, Principal Trading Standards Officer, as saying that these are not shops who “trade a few dodgy fags on the side” but function for the primary purpose of selling illegal cigarettes and vapes.

“It is unfortunate that in some cases they have been put out of business. We do what we can to provide a level playing field for legitimate business,” Wright said.