Operation Falcon secures arrest of three men and snatches an estimated £100K in cash from suspected criminal enterprise in Cheetham Hill

Today (28 July 2023), officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Money Laundering Team and Economic Crime Unit (ECU) led a proactive investigation into a business suspected of laundering money in Cheetham Hill.

The team from Operation Falcon arrested 3 males at the premises on suspicion of possessing criminal property. The males were then taken into police custody for questioning.

The search and arrest took place at a Vape Shop on Moulton Street in the Cheetham Hill area of Greater Manchester. 

Operation Falcon also drew support from GMP's Operation Vulcan team which is embedded in Cheetham Hill and is embroiled in a fight against organised crime in the area. Operation Vulcan officers were more than happy to assist with the arrests and search.

A large quantity of cash was recovered from a safe and the estimated £100K in cash was subsequently seized as suspected criminal property.

Detective Inspector James Coles from GMP's Economic Crime Unit said: "Different teams in Greater Manchester Police often come together on enforcement operations and today is an excellent example of that. 

"I hope the pubic are reassured by today's activity and I hope it goes someway towards making the area a safer place for residents to live and work and ensures legitimate businesses can thrive.

"Operation Falcon is determined to crackdown on money laundering and put a stop to the flow of cash going into the pockets of criminals. Money laundering harms more than just the UK economy - criminal money is also often used to fund more serious crime and this in turn blights communities with misery and violence.

"We will continue to do everything in our power to thwart the criminals, strip them of their finances and reinvest it back into the communities of Greater Manchester."

Anyone with information about suspicious financial activity can report it to us online through our online crime reporting form, or by calling 101. You can also report via our Live Chat service on our website: www.gmp.police.uk

Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.