October 5, 2018 12.57 pm This story is over 68 months old

Thousands of illegal cigarettes seized in another Boston raid

It is the third store to have illegal activity stubbed out
There was a hidden hatch for illegal cigarettes.

Another Boston business has had its license suspended after a police raid discovered thousands of illegal cigarettes hidden in an electronic hatch.

Tatry on West Street in Boston was targeted by Lincolnshire Police after undercover officers were able to purchase illicit cigarettes on two occasions.

Controlled by a key fob, the store would hide the cigarettes behind a small display of other products.

It is the third discovery of an electronic hatch in Boston after a series of targeted raids.

In one instance reported yesterday, police discovered a sophisticated hatch was hiding thousands of illegal cigarettes in Boston. They released a video of the raid.

Police seized cigarettes from the store.

Sergeant Kim Enderby, alcohol licensing manager, said: “The criminal involved in this activity are increasing and attempting more sophisticated methods to conceal their illegal activity.

“The cigarettes fail health and safety regulations, do not self-extinguish and have in the past been found to contain rat droppings, saw dust or human excrement mixed in with the tobacco.”

As a result of the raid, the store has had its Alcohol Premises Lincense suspended for two months after a hearing a Boston District Council.

There is a 21 day appeal process and if no appeal is submitted then the suspension comes into force.

The council panel accepted that there was nothing to link the new owner to the illegal sales but expressed concerns with his ability to run the business.

Watch the video of a previous raid at a Boston business.