Hydraulic remote-controlled chute system to deliver illegal cigs from upstairs flat to shop counter discovered during raid

An elaborate remote controlled hydraulic ‘chute’ system to deliver illegal cigarettes from an upstairs flat to a fake plug socket behind a shop counter was found by trading standards officers, councillors have heard. The piston operated set up found at California Wines Express, at Wigan Road, Bolton, pushed packets down a chute to the shop below.

Trading standards said eight different remote control buttons delivered eight different brands of cigarettes into a concealed box behind a wall. During a second visit to the shop, trading standard officers saw bags containing illegal tobacco being thrown from an open skylight on to the roof of the premises.

A review of the premises licence of the shop has been requested by Bolton Council’s trading standards department. Ahead of the hearing, a report said the council believed a review was needed for ‘the prevention of crime and disorder’ at the premises.

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The report detailed the trading standards raid on September 26 last year. It said: “An officer discovered 88 non-compliant vapes on a shelf behind the point of sale. “She also found an open pack of B&H Superkings Blue under the sales counter.

“When the shop assistant was asked why the pack was there she advised that the shop sold ‘singles’ to customers which is illegal. “Officers conducting a search of the property found a small remote.

“They pressed the fob and heard a noise that sounded like something was falling. “They then discovered a fake plug socket which when pulled from the wall revealed a small box into which cigarette packets had dropped.

“As a result of the concealment being activated packets of illicit cigarettes had dropped down.” The