Northampton shop loses alcohol licence after police raid finds illegal tobacco hidden in chicken coop
A Northampton shop has had its alcohol licence revoked after hundreds of packets of cigarettes and pouches of rolling tobacco were found hidden in a chicken coop at the back of the shop.
West Northamptonshire Council confirmed to the Chronicle & Echo on Monday (October 19) that O&K Supermarket also known as ‘DIY Store’, in Kettering Road, had lost its premises licence.
The investigation began on June 10, when police officers working with the council's Trading Standards team visited the shop and carried out a test purchase.
During the operation, a packet of NZ Gold cigarettes was bought for £5, with the money placed in the shop's till.
Officers returned later the same day and searched the premises.
A council report said they discovered 464 packets of cigarettes and 17 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco hidden in a chicken coop at the rear of the shop.
The products were found concealed outside the main shop premises.
Of the 464 packets of cigarettes seized, 77 were alleged to be counterfeit.
A further 159 packets were described as non-duty paid, meaning the required UK duty had not been paid.
The remaining 228 packets were classified as “cheap whites” - cigarettes generally manufactured for markets outside the UK and sold illegally here.
All 17 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco were also described as non-duty paid.
The estimated value of the seized tobacco was put at £8,100.
According to the council report, the products could not legally be sold or supplied in the UK because they did not comply with tobacco packaging regulations.
Some of the cigarettes were also suspected of being counterfeit copies of legitimate brands, carrying copies of registered trademarks.
Northamptonshire Police said: “Illegal tobacco is sold at a price significantly lower than that of legal tobacco and deprives the UK of vital revenue which could be used to fund essential public services. The illegal tobacco trade damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people.”
Before the review, O&K Supermarket was licensed to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises between 6am and midnight, seven days a week.
The premises licence holder and designated premises supervisor was named in the council report as Baderkhan Mohammad Abdulrahman.
The council has now confirmed that the premises licence has been revoked, meaning the shop can no longer sell alcohol under that licence.