Police crack down on criminal cash and counterfeit goods in Devon and Cornwall

A major multi-agency operation targeting organised crime on the high street has led to arrests and the seizure of more than £100,000 worth of illegal and counterfeit goods across Devon and Cornwall.

Throughout October, Devon & Cornwall Police, the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service, and partner agencies took part in Operation Machinize 2, the latest phase of a national initiative led by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Operation Machinize focuses on businesses with high cash turnover, such as barbershops, vape shops, nail bars, American-themed sweet shops and car washes, which can be exploited by criminals to launder money or fund other illegal activity.

The NCA estimates that £12 billion of criminal cash is generated in the UK each year, much of which is laundered through everyday high street businesses.

Detective Chief Inspector Glenn Willcocks explained the coordinated approach behind the operation:

“One of the main aspects of Op Machinize is that it is multi-agency. Devon & Cornwall Police officers have been working alongside HMRC, Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service, Home Office Immigration Enforcement and the fire service.

“This means that we have colleagues with relevant powers on hand if we encounter crimes other than money laundering, for instance counterfeit goods or immigration offences. As an example, our Home Office colleagues are on hand to question people about their immigration status should they need to.”

During the latest enforcement activity across Plymouth, Cornwall and South Devon, several arrests were made for illegal entry into the country and breaches of visa conditions.

Devon & Cornwall Police, which has around 200 officers trained in tackling organised immigration crime, deployed specialist teams to join Trading Standards and immigration officers in inspecting premises and interviewing staff.

Working alongside Trading Standards, officers seized over £100,000 worth of counterfeit and illegal products including cigarettes, tobacco, vapes, and bags of fake Labubu-style toys with small detachable parts that could pose a serious choking risk to children.

Alex Fry, Operations Manager for the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service, said:

“We are pleased to have worked with Devon and Cornwall Police and other agencies as part of this operation. Combatting the supply of illegal tobacco and vapes is a high priority for us.

“On this occasion we not only discovered illegal tobacco and vape products but also seized unsafe toys.

“By taking these products off the streets, we’re able to help protect our communities as well as supporting those businesses on the high street that trade legally.”

DCI Willcocks added that the operation not only tackles organised criminality but also protects vulnerable people:

“Op Machinize helps us not only to disrupt criminal gangs and reduce any associated antisocial behaviour or harmful activities, keeping our communities safer, but also to safeguard vulnerable people who are being exploited.

“Our specially trained officers know how to question people carefully to reveal whether they really know the town or city they have found themselves in, and don’t assume that they are engaged in criminality but may actually be victims of modern-day slavery.”

He continued:

“This ongoing work is removing criminal businesses from our high streets and across the country. If you have any information about criminal activity in business premises in your neighbourhood, please let us know. All intelligence received is very useful.”

Members of the public can report information about suspected criminal activity via the Devon & Cornwall Police website or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Operation Machinize will continue nationwide as law enforcement agencies work to dismantle criminal networks exploiting legitimate UK businesses and communities.