Barbershops in Gloucestershire targeted as part of national money-laundering campaign

Barbershops in Gloucestershire believed to be involved in criminal activity were targeted as part of a national money-laundering campaign last month.

Dozens of officers from Gloucestershire Police, The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Immigration, Trading Standards and HMRC took part in the operation across the county.

Warrants were conducted on two barber shops on Barton Street in Gloucester on Wednesday 5 March, resulting in a man aged 40 and from Gloucester being arrested on suspicion of fraud. He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

A total of 11 barber shops were visited that day by the various agencies as part of the operation.

One man was arrested for immigration offences and Trading Standards officers seized illegal cigarettes and vapes. A closure order was also placed on one shop for selling illegal cigarettes.

A 24-year-old man from Gloucester was also arrested on suspicion of burglary and possession of Class A drug Methamphetamine. He was charged with theft and bailed to a Police Station for burglary and drugs offences.

A further two men, aged 33 and 18 and both from Gloucester, were arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A and Class B drugs, namely cocaine and cannabis. The 18-year-old was charged with possession with intent to supply cocaine and possession with intent to supply cannabis and was remanded in custody, while the 33-year-old was released under investigation.

Officers also used a passive drugs dog from West Midlands Police, similar to ones used in airports and arenas, to detect people carrying drugs. Eight people were stopped and searched, resulting in drug paraphernalia being seized and one person given a community resolution order for possession of cannabis.

Another six premises were visited on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 March – four in Gloucester, one in Stroud and one in Tetbury. No arrests were made.

The action was part of Operation Machinize, a national operation spearheaded by the National Crime Agency, targeting barbershops and other cash-intensive businesses during a three-week crackdown on high street crime.

A total of 265 premises were visited across England, with officers securing freezing orders over bank accounts totalling more than £1m, executing 84 warrants and making 35 arrests. The operation saw 55 individuals questioned about their immigration status and a further 97 individuals safeguarded in relation to potential modern slavery.

In addition, officers seized more than £40,000 in cash, some 200,000 cigarettes, 7,000 packs of tobacco, over 8,000 illegal vapes and two vehicles. Two cannabis farms were also found, containing a total of 150 plants. Ten shops have been shut, with further closures expected as a result of on-going investigations.

The crackdown, which is part of the NCA’s continued disruption of cash being laundered in the UK, involved 19 different police forces and Regional Organised Crime Units, as well as national agencies including HMRC, Trading Standards and Home Office Immigration Enforcement.

Inspector Ash Gardner from Gloucester’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Organised Crime Groups are known to use a variety of fronts to launder their money, including barbershops.

“We will not allow such businesses to operate in our communities and we will work together with partner agencies to tackle them head-on.

“During the operation and in the time since, officers have been told by the public how thankful they are that we have taken this positive action.”

Detective Sergeant Adrian Bray from The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit said: “We know there are businesses on many high streets that are connected to serious and organised crime.

“Along with our partner agencies, we have been carrying out compliance visits on premises that could be a cover for illicit drug dealing, money laundering or illegal tobacco sales.

“It’s really important that the public report their suspicions about businesses who may be operating illegally in their area.”