BARBERS, vape shops and mini marts were among the businesses targeted as part of a major month-long crackdown on organised crime.
Illegal items such as cannabis farms, counterfeit goods and dangerous vapes were seized across Greater Manchester – including Tameside – during March.
Alongside partner agencies, Greater Manchester Police carried out 139 visits to premises during the operation – which formed part of a nationwide intensification effort.
Funded by the Home Office and led by the National Crime Agency (NCA), it focused on disrupting organised immigration crime, money laundering, drug supply, and the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes.
On the second day of the crackdown, three men were arrested on suspicion of drug and immigration crimes after authorities swooped on a Hyde town centre business.
Across Greater Manchester, the results of the operation were significant – leading to 14 arrests, 14 voluntary interviews, 14 immigration detainees, four individuals being safeguarded from exploitation, 60 organised immigration crime incidents disrupted, and seven closure orders served on premises.
GMP said they also seized more than £40,000 worth of illegal vapes, 10,895 illicit cigarettes, 348 counterfeit goods, £1,000 in cash, 150 cannabis plants, and even a machete.
The businesses targeted were suspected of involvement in modern slavery, money laundering, and other serious offences. In some cases, illegal food and drink items that failed to meet UK and EU standards were also found on sale, posing a risk to public health.
The operation also uncovered 27 tax evasion offences, 38 trading standards breaches, and 22 health and safety violations. Two premises were hit with £60,000 in fines.
Detective Inspector Melanie Johnson, who led the GMP side, described the operation as “extremely successful”.
She added: “Our work does not stop here; we will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in this organised criminality and seek to ensure that our communities are safe and high streets full of businesses not involved in criminality.
“We take any information we receive seriously, so please continue to provide Greater Manchester Police with information and we will continue to investigate all aspects of this criminality.”
Anyone who suspects a business of illegal activity can report it to Trading Standards via the Chartered Trading Standards Institute website. Reports to GMP can be made by calling 101 or visiting www.gmp.police.uk