Suspected crime gang cash seized in shop raids

Police have seized £2,000 in suspected criminal cash and nearly 90,000 illicit tobacco sticks after raids on high street shops earlier.

Wiltshire Police obtained warrants to search five shops in Swindon as part of a crackdown on money laundering in the county on Friday.

Officers told the BBC organised crime gangs can use businesses like barber shops, vape shops, and mini-markets to "fund criminal lifestyles" by laundering their proceeds through them "to give the appearance of legitimate income".

Det Insp Steve Edwards, head of the economic crime unit at Wiltshire Police, said the issue is "a problem everywhere unfortunately".

The force said the 89,205 tobacco sticks seized had an estimated retail value of £74,721, and that criminal investigations are under way.

The raids, which are part of the National Crime Agency-coordinated Operation Machinize, target illicit cash, goods, and exploited illegal workers.

Edwards added: "We're looking to dismantle organised crime that's using these stores on our high streets to fund their criminal lifestyles, fuel further organised crime, and launder their proceeds through these premises to give the appearance of legitimate income.

"We know the types of premises such as some barber shops, some vape shops, some mini-markets, are being exploited by criminal gangs.

"Importantly, there are genuine businesses as well sitting alongside them."

Earlier this year, the government announced a £30m High Street organised crime unit following BBC's reporting into illegal mini-marts, vape shops and barbers.

In June, the government also announced that the shops could be shut for up to a year if they are found to be involved in organised crime.

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