Joint enforcement operation targets illegal tobacco, cannabis vapes and immigration offences

Businesses across Grantham and Bourne were visited as part of a multi-agency enforcement operation aimed at disrupting illegal activity, protecting public health and tackling organised crime.

On Thursday 23 July, officers from Lincolnshire Police joined colleagues from Trading Standards and Immigration Enforcement to carry out inspections at four businesses – three in Grantham and one in Bourne. The operation focused on ensuring products being sold were legal and compliant, and that employees had the legal right to work in the UK.

During checks at a shop in Bourne, officers and partners uncovered a quantity of suspected illegal cigarettes and cannabis vapes hidden inside a large rucksack stored in a nearby vehicle with blacked-out windows. One of the workers at the shop was found to be carrying a key to the vehicle. The products were seized by Trading Standards for further investigation.

At one of the shops in Grantham, a delivery of cannabis plants arrived while officers were on site. The plants were seized by police.

Immigration Enforcement also arrested two males, one Pakistani and one Afghan, who are liable to be removed from the UK. A Civil Penalty Referral Notice was issued to the employer at Toor Superstore in Grantham for illegally employing one of the males.

The activity formed part of ongoing work to tackle criminality linked to the illegal tobacco and vape trade. Illegal cigarettes and counterfeit vaping products often evade safety regulations and testing standards, meaning consumers cannot be certain what substances they contain or the risks they pose to their health.

Cannabis vapes are illegal and can contain unknown ingredients, including potentially harmful chemicals. The sale of these products can also be linked to wider organised criminal networks, which profit from illegal activity while putting communities at risk.

Sergeant Lee Mayfield, from the Grantham and Bourne Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

“These coordinated enforcement days are an important part of protecting our communities and ensuring businesses are operating within the law.

“While the vast majority of retailers comply with regulations, there are some who choose to sell illegal products or facilitate criminal activity. The illegal tobacco and vape trade is not a victimless crime. The profits can help fund organised crime groups, while consumers are exposed to products that have not been subject to the same safety checks and standards as legitimate goods.

“By working closely with our partners in Trading Standards and Immigration Enforcement, we can take action against a range of offences, disrupt those involved and help keep our communities safe.

“We would encourage anyone who has information about the sale of illegal tobacco, illegal vapes or other suspicious activity in their area to report it to us or our partner agencies.”

Cllr Alex McGonigle, executive councillor for community safety at Lincolnshire County Council, said:

“We are committed to stubbing out the sale of illegal cigarettes and vapes across Lincolnshire. Not only do these rogue shops impact hardworking law-abiding businesses who cannot compete on an equal footing, they also have serious consequences for people’s safety, especially that of our young people.

“Our Trading Standards operations show that targeted businesses are 14 times more likely to sell vapes to persons under the age of 18 than legitimate shops. Worryingly, we’ve also seen an increase in vapes containing cannabis during recent seizures. As a precautionary measure we are working with schools to protect our young people and assist them in identifying vapes that may contain cannabis.

“If you have any information about the sale of these illegal products, please report it. Your intelligence is a vital part of our enforcement activity and helps us to keep Lincolnshire’s communities safe.”

Doug Campbell, Lead for East Midlands Immigration, Compliance & Enforcement, said:

“I want to thank my officers as well as colleagues from Trading Standards and Lincolnshire Police for their hard work in this successful operation.

“We will continue to work with partners to tackle illegal working, along with the associated criminality which harms honest businesses and vulnerable people.

“We are sending a clear message to those attempting to take advantage of our immigration system that we will use all the tools at our disposal to enforce the law.”

Anyone with concerns about the sale of illegal tobacco, counterfeit vaping products or other criminal activity can report information to Lincolnshire Police via the force website or by calling 101. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.