A shop owner has been ordered to stop selling booze after more than 180 bottles of wine were seized from his shop in Chatham which had not been UK-duty paid.

Licensing officers from Kent Police worked closely with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to get a review of the Flamingo News’ premises licence to be revoked after the find earlier this year.

Medway Council’s licensing committee met yesterday to review the licence and ruled the best course of action would be to revoke the shop’s alcohol licence.

At the meeting council officers heard how in February police officers carried out a joint operation with HMRC where they found 247.5 litres of red and white wine which had not been UK duty paid.

Upon finding the hoard, the owner, Vinayakamoorhy Thamilvasan, said his accountant had invoices for the wine, but he never produced these to officers.

Not only did they find the hoard in the store room, they also found two boxes of it behind the cash desk and several bottles on display for sale on shelves.

The shop was visited by officers following reports of anti-social behaviour in the area near the premises and police say they were also made aware alcohol had been sold to street drinkers who had caused problems for residents in the area.

Officers also heard reports booze was being sold to youngsters under the age of 18.

PC Clare Cossar, who helped to lead the action against the shop, said: “Kent Police worked closely with the shop owner for around one year but unfortunately there were still problems.

“We work hard to reduce crime and disorder in the area and are pleased that the licence has been revoked to prevent this shop from being mismanaged anymore. I hope it helps to reduce anti-social behaviour in the area.”

The owner will be able to sell his remaining alcohol stock until Sunday, June 26 and can lodge an appeal until then.