GMP and partners made more than 130 visits to business premises as part of a national intensification crackdown in March
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and partner agencies conducted a three-week operation, Operation Machinize, targeting businesses involved in organized crime, including drug supply, illegal tobacco and vape sales, and modern slavery. The operation resulted in 14 arrests, 14 voluntary interviews, 14 immigration detainees, and the seizure of illegal goods worth over £40,000, among other outcomes.
Three-Week Crime Sweep Nets 14 Arrests Across Greater Manchester
A major three-week law enforcement operation has dismantled criminal networks across Greater Manchester, resulting in 14 arrests and the seizure of drugs, illegal vapes, and thousands of counterfeit cigarettes worth tens of thousands of pounds.
Operation Machinize, which ran from March 3 to March 21, saw officers visit 139 premises including barbershops, vape shops, and mini marts suspected of involvement in modern slavery, organised immigration crime, and money laundering. The operation began with three warrants that recovered 150 cannabis plants and led to three arrests.
Among the significant seizures were 150 cannabis plants, over £40,000 worth of illegal vapes, 10,895 illicit cigarettes, £1,000 in cash, 348 counterfeit goods, and a machete. Authorities also recorded 27 tax evasion offences, 38 trading standards offences, and 22 health and safety breaches. Two premises received £60,000 fines, while seven businesses were served closure orders.
Detective Inspector Melanie Johnson, who coordinated the operation for Greater Manchester Police, said: “This was the first time Law Enforcement Agencies have ran a specific intensification on this scale, targeting this area of criminality and working alongside our partner agencies, and I am proud to say this was an extremely successful operation.”
The National Crime Agency launched Operation Machinize with Home Office funding to tackle organised immigration crime, money laundering, drug supply, and illegal tobacco sales. Four vulnerable individuals were safeguarded from exploitation during the operation, which also disrupted 60 instances of organised immigration crime.
Source: Read original article