One of UK's biggest illegal tobacco hauls seized

2 hours ago

Holly PhillipsEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

News image — Police used three vans to remove 348,500 cigarettes from a property in Boston, Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire Police A large number of boxes of cigarettes stacked on top of each other on the floor of a property. — Police used three vans to remove 348,500 cigarettes from a property in Boston, Lincolnshire

One of the UK's largest illicit tobacco hauls has been uncovered in Lincolnshire, police said.

Lincolnshire Police said three vans were required to remove 348,500 cigarettes and more than 280kg (620lbs) of hand-rolling tobacco discovered during a raid in Boston.

Together, the products were estimated to be worth more than £525,000, the force said. Officers also seized £2,000 in cash.

Two men, aged 36 and 29, were arrested on suspicion of possession of forged or counterfeit goods for export or import and duty or tax evasion matters.

The crackdown was part of Operation Lockstream - three days of enforcement activity aimed at tackling organised immigration crime.

There were also raids in Lincoln and Spalding.

In total, more than £500,000 worth of illegal cigarettes were seized, £5,000 in cash was confiscated and 10 arrests were made.

Det Insp Paul Sands, of Lincolnshire Police, said: "We will continue to relentlessly pursue those involved in organised crime, disrupt their activity and remove the harm they cause to our communities."

Lincolnshire Police A male police officer wearing black police uniform and a yellow hi-visibility vest holding a cardboard box that is filled with cigarette boxes. He is surrounded by boxes of cigarettes on the floor and a ceiling tile is loose above him. — Some illegal cigarettes were found hidden in a ceiling

In Lincoln, police visited six properties in the High Street, Portland Street and St Mark's areas of the city.

Two people were arrested on suspicion of modern-day slavery offences and four people were arrested for immigration matters, the force said.

Officers also seized £3,000 in cash, as well as some illegal cigarettes which were found in the ceiling of a premises on High Street.

In Spalding, police visited businesses in the Winsover Road, Holbeach Road, Westlode Street and the High Street areas. Twenty packs of illicit tobacco were seized.

Alex McGonigle, executive councillor for community safety at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "The huge seizure of illegal goods in Boston will make a real difference in keeping unsafe products off our streets.

"This joint work between our Trading Standards team and Lincolnshire Police is part of the constant battle to crack down on illegal activity.

"I'm also grateful to residents for raising concerns and providing information that underpins this work."

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