|
||
|
|
||
|
||
|
Extensive criminal network disruption across Lincolnshire |
||
|
Extensive enforcements across Lincolnshire have uncovered nine elaborate tobacco ‘hides’, thousands of illicit tobacco products, a multi-million-pound mobile phone scam, and cash believed to be linked to proceeds of crime, in this strategic multi-agency operation as part of a second phase of Operation Machinize, the ongoing NCA-coordinated operation to tackle money laundering and criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses. The criminality underpinning many of these cash-intensive stores often links into a wider network of deeper, highly organised criminal activity. Enforcements across Lincolnshire resulted in: 37 premises being visited (commercial and residential) Approximately 50 brand new mobile phones seized (that had been fraudulently obtained) More than 130,000 illicit cigarettes, 37,000g of hand rolling tobacco, and 2,000 vapes seized £40,000 cash seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act Four arrests for possession of cigarettes infringing trademarks contrary to section 92 of the Trademarks Act 1994, with investigations ongoing A Civil Penalty Referral Notice issued linked to illegal working Prohibition and enforcement notices being issued on Fire Safety matters 10 separate criminal investigations underway - three involve shop workers, seven relate to people operating the businesses The premises were targeted by a unified, strategic taskforce established to disrupt those who attempt to bring their destructive and harmful activity to the high streets of Lincolnshire and beyond. Of the operation, Inspector Paul Sands, who co-ordinated the overall activity, said: “The lengths criminals go to to hide their contraband is indicative of how important a part it plays within their broader criminality. The sale of illicit tobacco products is a lucrative means to fund very sophisticated, highly organised criminal activity, which can include human trafficking, money laundering, drug supply and other illicit activity which ultimately impacts every one of us directly or indirectly. “Every premises we visit presents an opportunity to potentially uncover intelligence which brings us closer to those higher up the criminal chain. It also enables us to remove counterfeit goods from circulation — products that often fail to meet essential safety and regulatory standards. “The key to tackling this type of crime is effective collaboration with our partners and our community. By consistently disrupting these networks, we send a clear message: criminal activity will not go unchecked in Lincolnshire, and we remain committed to using every legal avenue at our disposal to dismantle illicit operations at every level.” Over the next five days, we’ll be telling you about the specifics of the major operation here in Lincolnshire, which included: The uncovering of nine elaborate ‘hides’ across the county The discovery of a car bonnet being used to conceal illicit goods in Boston A hidden room in Bourne lined with shelves of illegal goods Thousands of cigarettes hidden behind a false wall in Grantham A medicine cabinet in Lincoln concealing illegal items A ‘lazy Susan’ in Gainsborough used by criminals to hide prohibited goods A linked operation in Skegness targeting a network of mobile phone scams and money laundering Civil Penalty Referral Notice for illegal working issued in Boston Work with the Fire Service to issue prohibition and enforcement notices Stay tuned for more information over the next five days about this co-ordinated crackdown.
Pictured: Search dog, Toby, discovers a quantity of brand new mobile phones at an address on Sunningdale Drive, Skegness Report it We call on the public to stand with us. Community support is vital — by reporting suspicious activity via the correct channels and refusing to engage with illegal trade or scams, residents can play a crucial role in helping us dismantle these harmful networks, keeping Lincolnshire safe for everyone. If you have any information or concerns, please reach out. There are a number of ways you can do this: - Speak with our officers at our various engagement opportunities - Email your local NPTs directly via the dedicated neighbourhood policing sections of our website - Chat with us while we’re on foot patrols - Call 101 - Or speak / email anonymously, via Crimestoppers Always call 999 in an emergency. All intelligence is handled sensitively and confidentially. Together, we can continue to target crime and protect our communities.
Pictured: Search dog, Toby, discovers a quantity of brand new mobile phones at an address on Sunningdale Drive, Skegness
| ||
Reply to this message | ||
|
|
