Around 4,000 counterfeit cigarettes were seized during a raid on a supermarket, Cheshire police have confirmed.
The officers carried out a search warrant at around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, at the International Mini Market on Orford Lane in Warrington.
The force had previously received reports of anti-social behavior and dangerous parking in connection with the premises.
About 4,000 counterfeit cigarettes and 40 packs of counterfeit tobacco were confiscated from the address during the raid.
Warrington Magistrates Court issued an order to close the store yesterday, Thursday. This makes it a criminal offense to stand up for the next three months.
Two other stores on the same street – Tymbark Shop and International Minimarket – were previously closed by the court in March after 50,000 packs of illegal cigarettes were confiscated.
An apartment above one of the shops was also closed.
Inspector Danny Haddock said, “This is the fourth closure order issued on the Orford Lane premises in the past few months.
“As early as March, closing orders for two shops – International Minimarket, Tymbark Shop and an apartment – were secured.
“This is all part of an investigation into antisocial and criminal behavior on Orford Lane that has resulted in some businesses on the street closing and some residents trying to move away.
“After the first closure orders were issued, we continued to receive reports of intimidating and threatening behavior from adults and youth on Orford Lane.
“There have been reports of young people harassing people to buy tobacco products for them in the supermarket and berating those who refused, groups of people loitering in the store and dangerous parking spaces on the street because of the crowds of people to the premises went.
“People who live and work in the region shouldn’t have to put up with behaviors that adversely affect their quality of life.
“The recent shutdown order makes it illegal for anyone to be in the new international mini market for the next three months and will continue to crack down on those who engage in criminal activity and encourage antisocial behavior in our communities.
“Such behavior is not tolerated here in the local Warrington Police Department.
“As this research shows, we are using the full scope of the law to combat criminal and anti-social behavior and make the city an even better place to live, work and visit.
“I hope the actions we have taken on Orford Lane encourage members of the Warrington community to educate us about any concerns they may have about criminal or antisocial behavior while living or working.”
The raid was supported by immigration teams from the Ministry of the Interior. Eyewitnesses said they saw a white van full of stocks being searched.
Sergeant Alex Reeves added, “As with the other premises that have closure orders on Orford Lane, we will be checking the new international mini market regularly to ensure that its order is not violated.
“If someone is found to have violated a closure order, they can be arrested and face up to six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.
“The Warrington Borough Council Commercial Standards Department has been notified of the counterfeit tobacco products that were confiscated from the supermarket this week.
“Selling counterfeit tobacco products not only harms legitimate businesses and society in general by not paying taxes on them, but it is also dangerous.
“Those who buy such products do not know what is in them and what the money they have paid will be used for.
“Counterfeit cigarettes also pose a higher risk of fire than legitimate cigarettes that comply with regulations to reduce the propensity to ignite.”
