Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Organised Crime Branch have taken part in a largescale national effort to target the criminal exploitation of high street businesses.
The national initiative, known as Operation Machinize, is now in its second phase and is led by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Activity was conducted in cooperation with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), involving the collective efforts of police forces and partner agencies right across the UK.
The operation targets organised crime groups who exploit cash intensive businesses for illegal purposes and criminal financial gain.
During the month-long intensified period of action, which took place over October, the Police Service of Northern Ireland carried out the following:
Over £425,000 in cash seized
Over £41,600 worth of drugs seized
Over £18,000 worth of counterfeit goods seized
20,000 cigarettes seized
Over £110,000 of suspected criminal finances have been frozen
6 searches conducted by PSNI under warrant, leading to 1 arrest made and 2 Community Resolution Notices issued
Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Neill, Head of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Organised Crime Branch, said:
“We are determined to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups who continue to exploit the communities they live in for their own financial gain and this intensification period allows us to focus our efforts, and target businesses in Northern Ireland that are being used as cover for a range of criminality.
“This targeted activity also enables us to reduce any associated antisocial behaviour, keeping our communities safer, and safeguarding vulnerable people who are being exploited.
“Our investigations into organised crime are ongoing throughout the year and our work won’t end with the culmination of this phase of Operation Machinize. However, by highlighting this intensified period of activity, we can help ensure the serious issue of criminal finance is firmly at the forefront of the public’s minds.
“The initiative emphasises concerted efforts to tackle and disrupt the activities of criminals, not just here in Northern Ireland, but throughout the UK.
“We will continue to work collaboratively with our partner agencies such as HM Revenue and Customs, Trading Standards, Immigration Enforcement and the Environmental Health Department in our collective determined efforts to crackdown on fraudulent activities.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Neill added, “We also rely upon the support of members of the public, and I’m keen to take every opportunity to urge anyone with information or concerns, to please speak to us. You can call us on 101 or contact, with total anonymity, the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Kevin Hubbard, Director of Individual and Small Business Compliance at HM Revenue and Customs, said:
“We are determined to allow honest businesses to thrive which is why it’s crucial we work closely with our law enforcement partners, including the PSNI, to take action against any business that we suspect are undermining the tax system.
“The majority pay the tax that is due, but we will pursue those who refuse to play by the rules.”
Throughout the UK as a whole, police forces, backed by partner agencies, arrested 924 individuals, seized over £10.7 million of criminal proceeds and destroyed over £2.7m worth of illicit commodities.