Police seized smuggled tobacco at Castleford town centre shop
West Yorkshire Police has called for a review of the premises licence at the Keep In Touch shop, on Albion Street
Police seized smuggled tobacco during an investigation at a convenience store in Castleford town centre.
West Yorkshire Police has called for a review of the premises licence at the Keep In Touch shop, on Albion Street, following an operation on September 17 this year.
Documents submitted to Wakefield Council said officers seized a small amount of “suspected counterfeit cigarettes.”
PC Toby Warden said further breaches of licensing conditions were also discovered and more details of the investigation would be submitted at a hearing on December 2.
A council licensing sub-committee has powers to revoke or suspend the store’s licence after hearing representations at the meeting.
PC Warden’s statement said: “The sale of illegal/foreign cigarettes is classed as serious organised crime with tax evasion.
“Evidence of such operations at the premises demonstrates quite clearly that the premises is failing to promote the licensing objectives, including the crime and disorder objective.”
Store licence holder Sureshbhai Patel provided a brief statement to the local authority ahead of the hearing.
He said: “One of the staff members had sold alcohol/cigarettes on his own accord without the manager or owners being aware.
“The shop has never benefited from the sales and has not been privy to such unprecedented conduct.”
The review application has been supported by the council’s licensing enforcement services department.
Enforcement officer Mark Douglas said illegal products at the store had been available to members of the public at discounted prices.
He said: “The illegal activities demonstrate that Mr Patel, in his capacity as person in control of the business, has shown little to no regard to promote any of the licensing objectives.”