GMP seizes over £1 million in criminal assets in operation tackling organised criminality behind cash rich businesses

Throughout October 2025 Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers, alongside partner agencies, conducted visits to cash rich businesses on local high streets across Greater Manchester as part of a national intensification led by the National Crime Agency (NCA) called Operation Machinize. 

The operation is designed to tackle criminality including money laundering, exploitation, organised immigration crime, modern slavery, drugs, the sale of illicit tobacco products and counterfeit goods. Vulnerable people are often exploited through these types of criminality, and the proceeds of crime are often used to fund further criminal activities, which negatively impacts our communities. 

Op Machinize was first introduced in March this year with October being the second part of the ongoing operation. Throughout the month, GMP Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) have been out visiting cash rich high street businesses across the city in dedicated days of action. 

On Thursday 23 October, officers from our Bolton district paid visits to several minimarts and convenience shops with partner agencies, such as Trading Standards and detection dogs, where an estimated £17,000 worth of illegal tobacco products and counterfeit goods were seized.   

On Thursday 30 October, officers from the City of Manchester Central district, alongside partnership agencies, focussed on several businesses in the areas along Stockport Road, in Longsight, and surrounding areas.  A detection dog was on hand to help find hidden compartments concealing illegal commodities.  

In one premises, a large concealment was discovered behind a hydraulic wall filled with illicit cigarettes. On further inspection, several more cartons of illicit cigarettes were found hidden behind foam ceiling tiles.  As a result of the day, three men were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences and breach of bail conditions.  

Officers recovered various cartons of illicit cigarettes, disposable vapes and tobacco products to the total of £30,256.60.  

Two businesses were referred to our civil penalties team for a fine of up to £60,000 per worker, and six businesses will be referred to HMRC for sanctions of up to £10,000.  Meanwhile, the Housing and Compliance team served two Emergency Prohibition Orders on flats above two retail premises.  

Elsewhere, Rochdale district NPTs visited a total of 33 business premises which resulted in £17,500 in cash being recovered, as well as 5kgs cannabis with an estimated street value of £50,000, six vehicles being seized from persons associated with organised crime groups, 1,079 illegal vapes, and around 58,045 illicit packets of cigarettes all being seized. 

As a result of the month-long intensification across Greater Manchester, our officers conducted over 120 visits to high street premises, seizing over 4000 illegal vapes, and a large amount of illicit cigarettes and tobacco, counterfeit clothing, products and food and serving six closure notices on premises.

In total, the combined value of all criminal assets seized was over £1 million. The joint partnership operation has enabled GMP to gather further information and intelligence enhancing our understanding of criminality within these types of businesses.    

Detective Chief Inspector Melanie Johnson, lead coordinator over Operation Machinize for GMP, said: “This is the second time law enforcement agencies have worked in partnership to carry out this large-scale operation, and I am pleased we have had successful results. 

“Our officers have been on visits with partners to tackle cash rich businesses on our high street that are being used as a front for criminality, putting our communities at risk of the harms associated with crime. 

“We have removed large quantities of harmful substances; drugs, illegal vapes and illicit cigarettes from the streets of Greater Manchester, as well as arresting 14 individuals and safeguarding 10 vulnerable people from being further exploited.   

“Our work does not stop here; we will continue to protect our communities from the harms of illegal products, while ensuring those involved in this criminality are held accountable. 

“We take any information we receive seriously, so I urge people to continue to provide Greater Manchester Police with information, and we will continue to investigate all aspects of this criminality and act upon it accordingly.” 

If you suspect that a business is involved in any illegal activities, you can report them to Trading Standards at Consumer Help and Advice | Chartered Trading Standards Institute UK    

If you are concerned about criminal activity within your area, you can report this to us directly on 101 or by using our online report tool at www.gmp.police.uk  

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted in confidence via 0800 555 111.