LONDON, Nov 11 (KUNA) -- Targeted raids on High Street premises such as mini-marts, barbers and takeaways have seen more than 920 people arrested, in the largest action of its kind coordinated by the National Crime Agency (NCA), reported the BBC, Tuesday.
More than 340 notices for illegal working and renting were issued by authorities, which could see businesses and landlords fined tens of thousands of British pounds.
The NCA led the month-long crackdown which visited 2,734 High Street premises and had over GBP 10.7 million criminal proceeds seized, including millions of illegal tobacco, vapes, over half a million pounds in cash, and 70kg of cannabis.
The illicit tobacco alone equates to more than GBP 3.5 million worth of duty evaded, the NCA estimates.
Over 450 registered businesses have been referred to Companies House for further investigation.
"Thousands of officers have been deployed up and down our country, targeting criminal profits and the means of generating them," Rachael Herbert, director of the National Economic Crime Centre at the NCA, said.
The NCA estimates that at least GBP 12 billion of criminal cash is generated in the UK each year, which is typically smuggled out of the country or siphoned through financial systems to be reinvested in criminal enterprise.
Home Office Security Minister Dan Jarvis said, "Criminals are using these dodgy shops as fronts for serious organized 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.
October was the second month-long intensification of High Street visits since March this year, under the NCA's Operation Machinize. (end) nbs.sas