Police recall the moment they uncovered a hidden room inside a Bourne shop - concealing illegal products

All of them concealing illicit tobacco and vape products – but none of them fooled the sniffer dogs working with Police and Lincolnshire Trading Standards.

Here, Lincolnshire Police recall some of the incidents they tackled across the county as part of Op Machinize - the National Crime Agency co-ordinated multi-agency operation focussed on tackling high street crime.

Recent incidents include those in Bourne, Grantham, Gainsborough and Lincoln.

A force spokesperson explained: “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.

“On 7 October, during an enforcement at a store on North Street in Bourne, officers exposed a hide which turned out to be an entire room, lined with shelves, stocked floor to ceiling with a staggering 45,940 illicit cigarettes, 1.4kg of hand rolling tobacco and 752 vapes.”

For a video of the moment police uncovered the secret room, see our previous report.

In the others areas of the county, a false plug socket was found to be concealing a ‘lazy Susan’ carousel hidden in the wall, laden with illegal products. Similarly, in another shop, a medicine cabinet was used to hide a wall space containing illicit tobacco.

Commenting on the operation, Sergeant Steve Parker said: “We remain resolute in our determination to disrupt these networks. Through strategic enforcement, intelligence-led operations, and the full use of legislative powers, we will continue to protect our streets from often unseen criminality - ensuring that communities across Lincolnshire, remain safe, resilient, and inhospitable to those who seek to profit from criminal enterprise in our county.

Inspector Paul Sands added: “The effort criminals invest in hiding illegal goods shows just how vital it is to their operations. These sales don’t just break the law – they bankroll serious crimes like trafficking, drugs, and laundering, which harm society in countless ways.

“Each inspection gives us a chance to uncover intelligence and take unsafe, counterfeit products out of circulation.

“Working together with partners and the public is key. Every disruption weakens these networks and reinforces our commitment: organised crime will not thrive in Lincolnshire.”