Police Seize £500K, Target Barbershops in Nationwide Money Laundering Crackdown

Operation Machinize has resulted in a significant crackdown on criminal activities involving barbershops and other cash-intensive businesses across England, with law enforcement seizing over £500,000 in illegal funds and making 35 arrests. The three-week operation, conducted by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and various police forces, targeted 265 premises suspected of being used for money laundering, drug trafficking, and modern slavery. Authorities executed 85 warrants and secured freezing orders over more than £1 million in bank accounts. Rachael Herbert from the NCA emphasized that these businesses often serve as fronts for serious crimes, facilitating high-impact offending in the UK. The operation has led to the closure of 10 shops, with more expected as investigations continue, highlighting the ongoing effort to disrupt the £12 billion illicit cash flow in the country. Community intelligence played a crucial role in these efforts, with public tip-offs aiding the planning of the raids.