More than 300 people have been arrested in a major police operation targeting organised crime and illegal immigration, with over £1 million in cash and substantial quantities of drugs, tobacco, and other goods seized.
Operation Details and Arrests
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) reported that 362 arrests were made during the five-day operation conducted between June 15 and June 20. Among those arrested, 57 were migrants who had arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel by boat.
The nationwide crackdown involved 39 police forces across the UK, along with agencies including the Home Office, Immigration Enforcement, and Trading Standards.
Seized Goods and Cash
Police seized more than £1 million in cash, as well as illegal tobacco, vapes, and cigarettes with a street value exceeding £700,000. Additionally, 92 cars, 31 e-bikes, and approximately £131,000 worth of drugs were confiscated.
The operations targeted premises such as barber shops, vape shops, car washes, food production sites, and nail salons. According to the NPCC, these businesses are often exploited by criminal gangs to conceal illegal working, exploit vulnerable migrants, and launder proceeds of crime.
Multi-Agency Collaboration
DCC Wendy Gunney, organised immigration crime domestic taskforce lead, said: “Thanks to the collective power of police and Home Office organised immigration crime intelligence, we have been able to target businesses on our high streets involved in money laundering, drug trafficking and distribution, modern slavery and human trafficking.”
She added: “This multi-agency activity sends a clear message to organised crime gangs that law enforcement agencies are working together to tackle illegal trade within our communities, and to bring offenders to justice.”
Civil Penalties and Public Appeal
DCC Gunney noted that authorities are considering civil penalties against business owners connected with employing migrants through illegal working. She urged the public to report suspicious activity, stating: “Organised immigration crime is often hidden in plain sight, and we are urging the public to report anything that doesn’t feel right in businesses on their streets, or if they are concerned about someone’s welfare.”
Government Response
Alex Norris, minister for border security and asylum, said: “These results are yet another example of targeted collaboration between the police, immigration enforcement and other partners to crack down on organised immigration crime. We are using every lever we have to loosen the grip of criminal gangs on our high streets.”
Norris highlighted that illegal working visits and arrests are at their highest level in British history, and the government has returned nearly 70,000 people with no right to be in the UK since coming into power.
