By PAUL O’DONOGHUE, Senior Correspondent
THE UK government said around £1 billion a year in criminal cash is laundered through high street businesses such as vape shops, barbers, mini-marts and sweet shops, as it announced a new national crackdown on organised crime.
Officials created a new High Street Organised Crime Unit, warning that criminals use retail fronts to disguise proceeds from drug trafficking, fraud and other illicit activity.
The unit will lead a nationwide response to businesses linked to organised crime. It will work with police, Trading Standards and other agencies to target rogue retailers
“The NCA estimate at least £12 billion of criminal cash is generated in the UK each year, with £1 billion laundered through high street businesses like mini-marts, barber shops, vape stores and sweet shops,” the UK government said.
“The [High Street Organised Crime Unit] will be responsible for identifying what more is needed – from stronger powers to better co-ordination – to stop this criminal activity from happening in the first place.”
The initiative forms part of a £30 million programme over three years. It focuses on money laundering, tax evasion and illegal working.
Shabana Mahmood, the UK Home Secretary, said: “Criminal gangs have exploited our high streets to launder their dirty money.”
“We are hitting back with a nationwide crackdown. We will shut these fronts down, seize dirty cash and drive organised crime off our high streets.”
The government said Operation Machinize had already led to more than 950 arrests. It also resulted in seizures worth over £10 million.
Sal Melki, deputy director of illicit finance at the NCA, said: “We will not stop and having the support of the High Street Organised Crime Unit to grow the Machinize partnership will enable us to target and disrupt more high harm offenders. The HSOCU will be key to a whole of government response.”
The latest phase of Operation Machinize took place in November. Officers raided or visited 2,734 premises. They arrested 924 people. They also seized or restrained more than £13 million in suspected criminal proceeds.
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