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Update 2 of 5 Yesterday, we started telling you about extensive enforcements across Lincolnshire designed to crackdown on high street crime. This National Crime Agency co-ordinated multi-agency operation, to tackle money laundering and criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses was enforced by local officers in Lincolnshire, and uncovered thousands of illicit tobacco products, a multi-million-pound mobile phone scam, and cash believed to be linked to proceeds of crime.
Criminals go to great lengths to conceal their illicit activities, often creating sophisticated ‘hides’ for the contraband they sell to fund far-reaching criminal activity. We’re aware they exist — it’s simply a matter of choosing the right moment to strike.
During Op Machinize’ s targeted enforcements, we, along with Trading Standards colleagues, numerous other partners, and Wagtail UK’s specialist search dog, uncovered nine hides in total across the county and seized more than 130,000 illegal cigarettes, and other illicit tobacco products.
We extend enormous thanks to the phenomenal skills of search dog Skye and her handler, for their assistance during these operations.
On 2 October, five premises were visited across Boston which resulted in two arrests, 11 large sacks of illegal tobacco and cigarettes being seized from three shops.
Officers located 21,800 of illicit cigarettes at a premises on West Street which had been concealed in the bonnet of a vehicle with the engine removed.
A further 9,800 of illicit cigarettes and 1kg of hand rolling tobacco were seized on the same day, following a search of two vehicles believed to be associated with a store on Horncastle Road.
A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of counterfeit cigarettes. He was interviewed by Trading Standards colleagues and has been bailed pending further inquiries.
Officers discovered two separate hides at a store on Church Lane, Boston, one hidden in the ceiling, with another being located under the counter which amounted to a significant 12,000 illicit cigarettes. A man, also 24-years-old, was arrested for the same offence, interviewed and bailed pending further inquiries.
On 23 October, two men, aged 25 and 34, were arrested at a store on the Market Place, Boston, also on suspicion of possession of counterfeit cigarettes. These investigations remain ongoing.
Of the overall operation, Inspector Paul Sands who co-ordinated the enforcements: “Criminals go to extraordinary lengths to conceal illicit tobacco because it is a cornerstone of their wider operations. Profits from these products often fund highly organised crime, including human trafficking, drug supply, and money laundering—activities that affect communities everywhere.
“Every visit to a premises is an opportunity to gather intelligence and remove dangerous counterfeit goods that fail basic safety standards.
“The fight against this crime depends on strong partnerships and community support. By disrupting these networks, we send a clear message: Lincolnshire will not tolerate organised crime, and we will use every legal tool to dismantle it.”
Stay tuned over the next three days for more information about this co-ordinated crackdown.
🗣️ 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: https://www.lincs.police.uk/area/your-area/
👣 Chat with us while we’re on foot patrols
📞 Call 101
ℹ️ Or speak / email anonymously, via Crimestoppers: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously
Always call 999 in an emergency.
All intelligence is handled sensitively and confidentially.
Together, we can continue to target drug-related crime and protect our communities.
#OpMachinize | 
