The National Crime Agency (NCA) has conducted a three-week crackdown on high street crime, known as Operation Machinize, targeting “cash-intensive” businesses that are linked to money laundering. The NCA raided 265 premises, making 35 arrests and safeguarding 97 individuals who were in relation to concerns about modern slavery. The officers seized over £40,000 in cash, 200,000 cigarettes, 7,000 packs of tobacco, more than 8,000 illicit vapes, and two vehicles. Additionally, they discovered two cannabis farms containing 150 plants and shut down ten shops, with more closures expected as investigations continue. The NCA also secured freezing orders over bank accounts containing funds worth more than £1 million combined.
The NCA’s Deputy Director of the National Economic Crime Centre, Rachael Hebert, stated that Operation Machinize targeted barbershops and other high street businesses being used as fronts for criminal activities across the country. These activities include drug trafficking, organised immigration crime, modern slavery, human trafficking, firearms, and the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes. High street crime, according to Hebert, facilitates some of the highest harm and highest-impact offending in the UK.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis highlighted the scale and complexity of criminality faced by towns and cities, emphasizing that high street crime undermines security, borders, and community confidence. Jarvis is determined to take decisive action to bring those responsible to justice.
According to NCA estimates, over £12 billion of criminal cash is generated in the UK each year. The money is typically smuggled out of the country or integrated into the legitimate financial system using various money laundering techniques. The NCA stated that cash-intensive businesses like barbershops, vape shops, nail bars, candy shops, and car washes are often used by criminals to conceal the origins of illicit cash. Crime gangs purchase such businesses using the proceeds of crime, which provides them with a legitimate income and opportunities for money laundering.
In its general election manifesto, the Labour party vowed to crack down on “dodgy” US candy shops amid investigations into tax evasion and the sale of counterfeit goods. Operation Machinize involved 19 different police forces and regional organised crime units, as well as national agencies.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/apr/10/police-freeze-1m-high-street-raids-cannabis-farms-evidence-slavery
