Six arrested in high street crackdown on organised crime operating on high streets

High street businesses acting as fronts for organised crime have been targeted by police in Bedfordshire.

In total, six arrests have been made while drugs, counterfeit goods and more than £25,000 in cash have been seized across the county as part of a national operation targeting organised crime operating on the high street.

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A series of warrants were carried out at businesses across the county last month, as part of Operation Machinize, the ongoing NCA-coordinated project to tackle money laundering and criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses.

Multiple offences

Six people were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences including money laundering, drug offences and immigration offences.

Of particular note among the arrests to Convenience Store readers was a warrant executed at a store in Bedford, in partnership with Bedford Borough Council Trading Standards. The raid resulted in the seizure of more than £17,000 in cash and over 500 counterfeit items, including fake perfume and illegal vape products.

At another shop in nearby Luton, officers arrested two men on suspicion of money laundering and multiple Class A and Class B drug offences, and seized more than £8,000 cash, while counterfeit perfume and toys were also recovered. Both men have since been bailed under conditions while enquiries continue.

Exploiting communities

Inspector Matthew Stonnell said: “Organised crime has no place on our high streets, and we remain committed to taking proactive action against those who exploit our communities for criminal gain.

“Profits from counterfeit goods and money laundering fuel further criminality, causing significant harm to our communities and undermining legitimate businesses.

“Operations like this are vital in disrupting this criminal activity, as well providing valuable opportunities to gather and develop intelligence to support sustained enforcement against those responsible.

“We’ll continue working closely with our partners, local businesses and communities to identify, disrupt and dismantle organised crime networks operating on our high streets.”