Why barbershops are often used as fronts for money laundering
Hundreds of barbershops have been targeted in Operation Machinize, a nationwide crackdown on money laundering and modern slavery across England and Wales
Coordinated by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and involving police and law enforcement officers, the operation led to 35 arrests and the safeguarding of 97 potential modern slavery victims.
Authorities seized more than £40,000 in cash, 200,000 cigarettes, 7,000 packs of tobacco, and 8,000 illegal vapes and discovered two cannabis farms. Freezing orders were also placed on bank accounts exceeding £1 million.
The NCA aims to disrupt criminal gangs who use cash-intensive businesses, like barbershops, nail salons and vape stores, to launder money from crimes.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis affirmed the government's commitment to combating high street crime and making the UK an even more hostile environment for organised crime.
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