Six arrested in crackdown on organised crime operating through high street businesses

Six arrests have been made and drugs, counterfeit goods and more than £25,000 in cash have been seized across Bedfordshire as part of a national operation targeting organised crime operating on the high street.

A series of warrants were carried out at businesses across the county in October as part of Operation Machinize, the ongoing NCA-coordinated project to tackle money laundering and criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses.

Six people were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences including money laundering, drug offences and immigration offences.

A warrant executed at a shop in Bedford, in partnership with Bedford Borough Council Trading Standards, resulted in the seizure of more than £17,000 in cash and over 500 counterfeit items, including fake perfume and illegal vape products.

At a shop in Luton, officers arrested two men on suspicion of money laundering and multiple Class A and Class B drug offences and seized more than £8,000 cash, while counterfeit perfume and toys were also recovered.

Both men have since been bailed under conditions while enquiries continue.

One man was arrested in Leighton Buzzard on suspicion of driving while unfit through drugs and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs. Officers also seized his uninsured vehicle and suspected cannabis found inside.

He was subsequently charged with driving with excess drugs, driving whilst disqualified, driving whilst uninsured and was bailed for the drugs supply offence whilst enquiries continue.

Inspector Matthew Stonnell said: “Organised crime has no place on our high streets, and we remain committed to taking proactive action against those who exploit our communities for criminal gain.

“Profits from counterfeit goods and money laundering fuel further criminality, causing significant harm to our communities and undermining legitimate businesses.

“Operations like this are vital in disrupting this criminal activity, as well providing valuable opportunities to gather and develop intelligence to support sustained enforcement against those responsible.

“We will continue working closely with our partners, local businesses and communities to identify, disrupt and dismantle organised crime networks operating on our high streets.”

Information from the public plays a vital role in tackling organised crime.

Anyone with information about suspicious activity, including potential money laundering or the sale of counterfeit goods, is asked to report to police online at beds.police.uk/ro/report

Alternatively, concerns can be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers.