Police and partner agencies swept through high street businesses across Plymouth today as part of a major crackdown targeting suspected money laundering.
Criminals are known to use cash heavy businesses to clean dirty money, with the NCA estimating that £12 billion of criminal cash is generated by them each year in the UK.
Funds are typically smuggled out of the country or mixed into the legitimate financial system by everyday shops that appear legitimate on the surface.
The action is part of Operation Machinize, a national crackdown led by the National Crime Agency and supported in Plymouth by Devon and Cornwall Police, HMRC, Trading Standards, Home Office Immigration Enforcement and the fire service.
Earlier this month, £100,000 worth of counterfeit tobacco, cigarettes and vapes were seized in Plymouth as part of the operation.
Police say the joint operation is designed to disrupt organised networks that rely on cash based laundering to fund further criminal activity.
Enforcement of this kind often uncovers other serious offences, from counterfeit goods to drug production and even cases of human trafficking.
The latest enforcement activity aims to cut off the financial lifelines of groups who conceal their profits within the high street economy. Those found operating illegally face prosecution, heavy fines and potential closure of their businesses.
Operation Machinize is expected to continue throughout the year as part of a nationwide effort to make it harder for criminals to wash billions in dirty money through UK businesses.
Anyone with concerns about a business or suspected exploitation can play their part by giving information anonymously to Crimestoppers here or by calling them on 0800 555 111.
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