Massive organised crime bust sees more than 300 UK arrests and £1m in cash seized

Massive organised crime bust sees more than 300 UK arrests and £1m in cash seized A police crackdown on illegal trade and organised immigration crime has seen hundreds of people arrested and more than £1million in cash seized as well as goods More than 300 people have been arrested as part of a massive organised crime bust that has seen drugs, cigarettes and other goods seized by police, along with £1million in cash. The National Police Chiefs’ Council said of the 362 arrests made during the five-day operation, 57 were migrants who had arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel by boat. The nationwide crackdown, carried out between June 15 and June 20, also led to more than £1 million in cash being seized, as well as illegal tobacco, vapes and cigarettes with a street value of more than £700,000, 92 cars, and 31 e-bikes. Around £131,000 worth of drugs was also seized, the NPCC said. The operations focused on tackling organised immigration crime at a number of premises such as barber shops, vape shops, car washes, food production and nail salons. The NPCC said these businesses are often targeted by criminal gangs as they “provide opportunities to conceal illegal working, to exploit vulnerable migrants, and to launder proceeds of crime”. The operation involved 39 police forces across the UK and agencies including the Home Office, Immigration Enforcement and Trading Standards. DCC Wendy Gunney, organised immigration crime domestic taskforce lead, said: “Thanks to the collective power of police and Home Office organised immigration crime intelligence, we have been able to target businesses on our high streets involved in money laundering, drug trafficking and distribution, modern slavery and human trafficking. “This multi-agency activity sends a clear message to organised crime gangs that law enforcement agencies are working together to tackle illegal trade within our communities, and to bring offenders to justice. “We are also in the process of considering civil penalties as we have targeted business owners, their business models and those connected with employing migrants through illegal working.” DCC Gunney added: “We will not tolerate exploitation within the UK, and we are determined to target the business owners who openly encourage this. “Organised immigration crime is often hidden in plain sight, and we are urging the public to report anything that doesn’t feel right in businesses on their streets, or if they are concerned about someone’s welfare.” Alex Norris, minister for border security and asylum, said: “These results are yet another example of targeted collaboration between the police, immigration enforcement and other partners to crack down on organised immigration crime. “We are using every lever we have to loosen the grip of criminal gangs on our high streets. “This specific action comes alongside illegal working visits and arrests being at their highest level in British history, and our action to return nearly 70,000 people with no right to be here since coming into power.”