Seven arrested in Herefordshire high street crackdown on money laundering
Operation Machinize led to seven arrests and seizure of drugs, cash and £30,000 in illicit goods across Herefordshire high streets in October.
Seven arrested as police seize drugs and £30,000 in illicit goods across Herefordshire
A month-long operation targeting money laundering and organised crime on high streets across Herefordshire has resulted in seven arrests, drug seizures and the confiscation of tens of thousands of pounds worth of illicit goods, herefordtimes.com reports.
Operation Machinize, led nationally by the National Crime Agency (NCA), saw West Mercia Police officers conduct 47 searches across the force area during October. The searches focused on businesses considered vulnerable to exploitation by criminal networks, including barbershops, vape shops, mini marts and nail salons.
Alongside the seven arrests, officers seized £1,500 in cash, a quantity of Class B drugs and two imitation firearms. Trading Standards officers separately confiscated approximately £25,000 worth of illicit goods and a further £5,000 worth of counterfeit products.
West Mercia Police were joined by Immigration Enforcement, HMRC, Trading Standards, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service in the coordinated effort.
Detective Sergeant Rachel O'Brien, from West Mercia Police's Economic Crime Team, said the operation had been aimed squarely at criminal networks sheltering behind legitimate-looking premises.
"Officers worked collaboratively with multiple agencies to target criminal networks operating on our high streets," O'Brien said. "Through targeted disruption and visible policing, we successfully removed illicit goods, seized cash linked to crime and arrested those suspected of enabling this activity on the high street."
O'Brien added that Operation Machinize aims to dismantle criminal networks in town centres and urged anyone with information about illegal activity to report it to police.
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said the results carried a clear message for organised crime groups active across the West Mercia region.
"These results show the value of targeted action against serious and organised crime and our determination to protect our communities from the harm it causes," Campion said. "The overwhelming majority of shops in West Mercia are legitimate businesses at the heart of local communities. However, where premises are being used to facilitate criminal activity, we will work with partners to take robust action."
Campion added that those involved in crime "cannot operate with impunity and will face the full weight of the law."
Officers stressed that the vast majority of local businesses operate lawfully, and that the operation focused specifically on premises suspected of concealing the proceeds of crime or facilitating criminal activity.
The operation forms part of a broader national effort to prevent organised crime gangs from using seemingly legitimate cash-intensive businesses to launder money and distribute illegal goods across Britain's high streets.
Residents with information about suspected criminal activity can contact West Mercia Police online or report anonymously through Crimestoppers.
Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)