Over 6,000 illegal cigarettes that failed safety tests were found in a “sophisticated hide” in the wall during inspections at a Boston shop.
Officers from Lincolnshire Police, Lincolnshire Trading Standards and Immigration Enforcement carried out inspections at Europe Express in Boston in 2018.
6,700 illegal and illicit cigarettes were found during the two inspections. A large number were found in a secret compartment in the wall. The cigarettes were found to be counterfeit, had foreign health warnings and failed safety tests.
Shop owner Sardar Majid Aziz, 35, of Wing Drive in Fishtoft appeared at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 30. He pleaded guilty to supplying and possessing illicit cigarettes.
Electronic hide discovered at Europe Express in Boston. Photo: LCC
Mr Aziz was sentenced to a 12 month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work, contribution towards costs of £1,500 and a victim surcharge of £85.
Andy Wright, Principal Trading Standards Officer said: “We found these cigarettes in a really unique and sophisticated hide within the wall of the shop. It could be opened remotely and was self-closing.
“The construction of the hide showed us that significant effort was put into concealing these items.
“Legitimate cigarettes are legally required to be self-extinguishing, and the ones we seized here didn’t have this feature. Fire Services report that there have been deaths in the county from fires started by illegal cigarettes because they continue to burn if unattended. It is extremely important that we take as many off the streets as possible.”
Anyone with concerns about the sale of illicit cigarettes should contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a fail to stop in Welton, Lincoln.
It’s believed a black or grey 4×4 or SUV vehicle collided with a silver Mini Cooper that was parked along Cliff Road. The incident was reported just after 3pm today.
If you witnessed the collision or have dashcam footage available, please get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 275 of 1st July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 275 of 1st July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
A snack bar in Lincoln has been told to make improvements in several areas after being given a one-star food hygiene rating.
Monks Road Snack Bar, located on 23 Monks Road, was visited by city council inspectors on May 25, 2022 and the rating was recently published on the Food Standards Agency’s website.
The standards found at the time of inspection showed that improvement was necessary in the areas of ‘hygienic food handling’ and the ‘Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building’.
It was also deemed that there was “major improvement necessary” relating to the ‘Management of food safety’.
Monks Road Snack Bar was previously given five-star ratings in June 2016 and September 2018.
The Lincolnite tried to contact the business on numerous occasions throughout the day on Friday, July 1 but the line was continuously engaged.
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