In an unprecedented nationwide effort, nearly 1,000 people have been arrested across the United Kingdom in a sweeping crackdown on criminal activity hidden behind seemingly ordinary high street businesses. The month-long operation, dubbed Operation Machinize 2, was orchestrated by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and spanned the entirety of October 2025, involving coordinated raids on 2,734 premises from London to Doncaster and beyond.
This initiative marks the largest operation of its kind in British history, targeting the so-called "dodgy shops"—mini-marts, vape shops, Turkish barbershops, nail salons, car washes, takeaways, and more—that authorities say have become convenient fronts for money laundering, drug trafficking, tax evasion, and even modern slavery. According to the NCA, these businesses are at the heart of a "grey economy" that threatens the safety and prosperity of local communities across the country.
During the operation, law enforcement seized more than £10.7 million (about $14 million) in suspected criminal proceeds and destroyed £2.7 million worth of illicit goods. The haul included 70 kilograms (154 pounds) of cannabis, 111,097 illegal vapes, 4.5 million cigarettes, and 622 kilograms (1,371 pounds) of illicit tobacco—goods that, if sold, would have evaded an estimated £3.4 million in taxes. In addition, officers confiscated over half a million pounds in cash, gold bars, luxury watches (including some by Patek Philippe), and even a ring valued at £500,000, as reported by National World.
The scope of the crackdown extended beyond the seizure of illegal goods. Authorities issued 341 referral notices for illegal working and renting, which could result in fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker and £20,000 per tenant for landlords found liable. More than 450 companies were flagged for possible irregularities and referred to Companies House for further investigation, as detailed by the BBC and Anadolu Agency.
Operation Machinize 2 was a multi-agency effort that brought together every police force in the UK, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Regional Organised Crime Units, Home Office Immigration Enforcement, Trading Standards, HM Revenue & Customs, and Companies House. "Thousands of officers have been deployed up and down our country, targeting criminal profits and the means of generating them," said Rachael Herbert, director of the National Economic Crime Centre at the NCA. "Hundreds of thousands of harmful and illegal products have been taken off our streets, and over £10m in cash, frozen in bank accounts and criminal assets seized."
The NCA estimates that at least £12 billion ($15.2 billion) of criminal cash is generated annually in the UK, much of it laundered through small, cash-based businesses. Sal Melki, the NCA’s deputy director for illicit finance, explained, "Shops exploited by criminals can act as hubs for a range of poly-criminality. So it could be a convenient place to launder money or evade tax. It could also be a convenient place to move illicit commodities, hide the proceeds of drugs sales, or act as a meeting point for criminal associates."
Officials emphasized that the majority of shops on Britain’s high streets are not involved in criminal activity. However, the proliferation of certain types of businesses in some regions raised red flags for investigators. For instance, in Essex and Doncaster, the number of barber shops has reportedly surged by 200% in just five years, a trend that authorities say is not entirely explained by genuine market demand.
The BBC’s investigative reporting played a significant role in exposing the complexity of these criminal networks. Undercover journalists revealed how Kurdish crime fixers used "ghost directors"—individuals listed on official paperwork but uninvolved in daily operations—to shield the true beneficiaries of illicit business activity. Reporters posing as asylum seekers were told how easy it was to take over a shop and make thousands of pounds a week from illegal tobacco. The Home Office has since pledged to investigate these findings.
Senior politicians have taken notice of the scale and sophistication of the problem. Security Minister Dan Jarvis was unequivocal in his assessment: "Criminals are using these dodgy shops as fronts for serious organised crime, money laundering and illegal working, risking the future of the British high street. We have intensified our joint efforts with law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks and relentlessly pursue those who use dirty money for personal gain." He added, "Together we have seized millions in criminal assets, removed harmful drugs from our streets and arrested hundreds of criminals who are undercutting honest business owners."
The operation has ignited political debate, with 25 Labour MPs, led by Melanie Onn, joining a campaign to "shut down dodgy shops" in response to constituent concerns. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CSTI), representing council officers across the country, identified serious and organized crime on high streets as the number one threat facing its members. The CSTI has called for enhanced resources and powers to allow officers to close businesses more effectively when criminal activity is suspected.
Kevin Hubbard, director of individual and small business compliance at HM Revenue and Customs, underscored the broader economic stakes: "We are determined to allow honest businesses to thrive which is why it’s crucial we work closely with our law enforcement partners to take action against any business that we suspect are undermining the tax system. The majority pay the tax that is due, but we will pursue those who refuse to play by the rules."
Despite the operation’s scale, officials acknowledged that the problem of criminal infiltration on the high street cannot be solved overnight. Sal Melki noted, "We acknowledge the problem won’t be solved overnight or through disruptive action alone—today’s high street is subject to many socio-economic factors beyond the scope of a law enforcement partnership." Rachael Herbert echoed the need for public vigilance and continued partnership, stating, "We ask for the public’s support as we move forward and to continue to report suspected criminality to the police."
Ultimately, the results of Operation Machinize 2 have set a new standard for coordinated law enforcement action in the UK. While challenges remain, the operation has demonstrated the impact of depriving criminals of their income, disrupting their networks, and sending a clear message that the nation’s high streets are not open for illicit business.
