Thousands of illegal cigarettes found in secret location

Trade standard officials reported that thousands of illegal cigarettes were discovered in secret hiding places at two shops in Grantham.

The Local Store and Baltic in Westgate were found to be in possession of over 10,000 cigarettes, hand-rolled tobacco, illegal e-cigarettes and a significant amount of cash.

Counterfeit goods were reportedly discovered within remotely controlled animal skins, behind mirrors, and beneath floors of retail stores.

According to Trading Standards, this is the work of a "professional business.

Andy Wright, Chief Trading Standards Officer for Lincolnshire, has stated that many of the confiscated cigarettes do not possess "important safety features" that would allow them to self-extinguish when not being smoked, making them a "huge fire safety risk.

Mr. Wright stated that some of the confiscated illegal electronic cigarettes contained "significantly higher levels of nicotine than legally allowed", with some containing "the same amount of nicotine as 150 cigarettes".

PC Mark Barr from the Gransetham Neighborhood Policing Team stated, "By conducting raids on shops suspected of selling counterfeit goods to disrupt illegal activities, we greatly diminish the profits of criminal gangs.

He further added that the profit involved in selling "illegal and often dangerous products" is "quite astonishing".

The police force in Lincoln County reported that their raid did not result in any arrests.

Trading Standards has added that investigations are still ongoing.

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