In a sweeping nationwide operation, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the National Crime Agency (NCA) have launched a major offensive against organised crime on Britain's high streets.
Nationwide Raids and Mass Arrests
Law enforcement agencies, including immigration officials and trading standards, conducted coordinated raids on 2,734 premises across the country. The operation led to the arrest of 924 individuals suspected of using legitimate-seeming businesses as fronts for serious criminal activity.
The targeted establishments included barbershops, nail bars, and vape stores, which authorities believe were being used to facilitate money laundering and drug dealing. During the raids, officers seized a substantial haul of illicit goods and assets.
Massive Seizure of Cash and Illegal Goods
The crackdown resulted in the confiscation of more than £10 million in criminal cash and assets. This massive seizure is a significant blow to the financial operations of the targeted criminal networks.
Alongside the money, authorities removed dangerous products from circulation, including 70kg of cannabis, 111,000 harmful vapes, and 4.5 million illegal cigarettes. Furthermore, over 300 businesses were reported on suspicion of employing illegal migrant workers, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the criminal enterprises.
Official Statements on the Crackdown
Labour Party security minister, Dan Jarvis, condemned the criminals for undermining honest business owners. He stated, "Criminals are using these dodgy shops as fronts for serious organised crime, money laundering and illegal working, risking the future of the British high street."
Rachael Herbert, Director of the National Economic Crime Centre at the NCA, emphasised the impact of the operation. "Depriving criminals of their source of income has a real impact, limiting the amount of funds they can reinvest in further offending," she said, adding that it deters them from taking spaces that could be used by legitimate businesses.
Sal Melki, the NCA officer who led the operation, noted that the offending was widespread, stating, "this type of offending is not restricted to any one area, type of shop or demographic."
