Op Machinize: Multiple warrants carried out in Swindon to tackle money laundering and criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses

As part of an ongoing national operation targeting money laundering and related criminal activity, Wiltshire Police carried out a series of warrants in Swindon on Friday (09/10), seizing suspected criminal cash and a large quantity of illegal tobacco.

Operation Machinize, the ongoing National Crime Agency coordinated project to tackle money laundering and criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses, saw Wiltshire Police working in partnership with Immigration Enforcement, Trading Standards and other specialist agencies.

Warrants were carried out at a total of five premises, including high street shops and residential properties, with approximately £2,000 in suspected criminal cash seized and nearly 90,000 sticks of illicit tobacco with an estimated retail value of £74,700.

In addition, criminal investigations under the Proceeds of Crime Act were launched, based on evidence found during the operation.

Detective Inspector Steve Edwards, Head of Wiltshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit and Digital Investigations and Intelligence Unit, said: “This is a long-term sustained operation to dismantle organised crime that's operating on our high streets. 

“We know that organised criminal gangs use premises such as barber shops, vape shops, and mini markets, which sit alongside legitimate businesses. 

"These are used to launder criminal proceeds, fund serious and organised crime activities, and employ illegal workers. This has a big impact on the whole community. This is a sustained problem and it needs a sustained response from police and partners.”

 Officers and support agencies including Trading Standards and Immigration Control and Enforcement were searching for controlled drugs, illicit cash, and items such as unregulated goods,  tobacco or vapes which helps support serious organised crime, alongside offences under the Immigration Act.

The ongoing operation makes use of information from local residents as well as a range of other sources to build a picture of potential criminality that can be acted upon.

•  Members of the public can report concerns by calling 101 or online Report a crime | Wiltshire Police 
• You can also leave information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
• In an emergency always call 999.