UK Raids Nearly 3,000 Shops in Record Money Laundering Crackdown

The United Kingdom conducted a major operation against money laundering, where approximately 3000 shops were raided all over the country.  The suspected businesses of being at the forefront of criminal activities were targeted within this operation.

It was part of the second phase of Operation Machinize, a month-long crackdown coordinated by the National Crime Agency (NCA) along with HMRC, Home Office Immigration Enforcement and Trading Standards. Authorities attacked on 2,734 locations, made 924 arrests, and seized over £10.7 million in illegal funds, which includes tobacco, cash, vapes, cannabis, weapons, and counterfeit products.

Officials state that cash-heavy businesses like barbers, vape shops, minimarts, massage parlours, takeaways, and nail bars remain high-risk targets for criminal infiltration. These shops are commonly exploited to launder drug money, hide illicit commodities, facilitate illegal working, and move funds across borders.

Authorities say the raids were triggered after investigators concluded that the UK had reached a “tipping point” in high street criminality.

Rachael Herbert, Director of the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC), said:

“Thousands of officers were deployed nationwide, targeting criminal profits and the means of generating them. More than £10 million in cash has been frozen or seized, and hundreds of thousands of illegal products removed from our streets.”

The officials of multiple regions found hidden illicit goods in microwaves, false walls, magnet-locked drawers, basements, and ceiling tiles. A corner shop in a small town reported £200,000 in monthly deposits. The owner drives a £260,000 Ferrari, which raised concerns about possible drug money and human trafficking activities.

In West Yorkshire, officers raided a jeweller suspected of laundering investment fraud proceeds. Assets worth more than £2 million were seized, including luxury watches, gold bars, and a single ring valued at £500,000.

Regions such as Essex and Doncaster have seen a 200% expansion in the number of barber shops over the last five years. This growth raises serious concerns about the number of businesses that have low operating costs but high cash flow.

NCA deputy director Sal Melki explained:

“Shops exploited by criminals can act as hubs for poly-criminality, money laundering, tax evasion, drug sales, and even human trafficking.”

Almost every law enforcement of the United Kingdom participated in this operation, and with this help, more than 340 notices were issued for illegal working or renting. More than 450 businesses were sent to the Companies House for further examination.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis added:

“Criminal networks using these sham shops are undermining honest business owners. This operation shows our commitment to dismantling these networks and protecting the UK’s high streets.”

Following the raids, more than 25 MPs called for stronger enforcement powers to permanently close high-risk business fronts. Trading Standards described illicit high street criminality as the “number one threat” facing frontline officers.

Authorities warn that even though Operation Machinize had some success, the fight is still ongoing. The NCA estimates that £12 billion in criminal cash flows through the UK every year, with most of this money reinvested into other illegal activities.

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