More than 100 wraps of Class B drugs, thousands of pounds worth of illegal cigarettes, and evidence of unlawful working practices have been seized in a major multi-agency operation targeting cash-based money laundering and serious organised crime across the South East.
The coordinated enforcement activity was carried out by officers from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) alongside Trading Standards, Immigration Enforcement, the Department for Work and Pensions, and local police forces from Sussex, Hampshire, and Thames Valley.
The agencies conducted surprise visits to 11 barbershops and vape shops believed to be operating as fronts for organised criminal networks. The operation was part of the wider Operation Machinize, a national campaign led by the National Crime Agency’s National Economic Crime Centre, which focuses on disrupting criminal cash flows through high-risk, cash-intensive businesses.
Among the results from the coordinated day of action:
100 wraps of Class B drugs seized by police
£1,000 worth of illegal cigarettes confiscated by Trading Standards
Two prohibition notices issued for serious fire safety violations
One individual arrested by Immigration Enforcement for illegal working
One business licence notice issued for failing to meet legal conditions
Ongoing investigations into tax evasion, benefit fraud, and planning breaches
Detective Inspector Emily Evans, from SEROCU, highlighted the scale of the issue:
“It’s estimated that around £12 billion of criminal cash is generated in the UK each year. This money often enters the financial system through money laundering, using legitimate-looking businesses such as barbershops, vape stores, and nail salons to disguise illegal proceeds.
A joined-up approach between enforcement and regulatory partners is essential to building a robust intelligence picture and holding those involved to account.”
Investigations by partner agencies remain ongoing, with further enforcement and civil action expected.
For more details on the wider national initiative, visit the National Crime Agency’s website.
