More than 300 arrests in organised immigration crime crackdown
More than 300 arrests in organised – A nationwide police operation targeting illegal immigration and organised crime led to over 300 detentions across the UK, with 57 of those individuals being migrants who had recently crossed the Channel by boat. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) reported the seizure of more than £1 million in cash during the five-day initiative, which ran from June 15 to June 20.
In addition to the cash, law enforcement confiscated illegal tobacco, vapes, and cigarettes with a street value exceeding £700,000. Vehicles, narcotics, and e-bikes were also among the assets taken. The campaign focused on businesses such as barber shops, vape stores, car washes, food production sites, and nail salons, which are often used by criminal groups to mask unlawful labor, exploit vulnerable migrants, and launder proceeds of crime, the NPCC explained.
Collaborative effort spans multiple agencies
Deputy Chief Constable Wendy Gunney, head of the NPCC’s domestic taskforce on organised immigration crime, emphasized the operation as a demonstration of “targeted collaboration between the police, immigration enforcement, and other partners,” according to Minister for border security and asylum Alex Norris. The initiative involved police forces from all UK regions working alongside the Home Office, Immigration Enforcement, and Trading Standards.
“This multi-agency activity sends a clear message to organised crime gangs that law enforcement agencies are working together to tackle illegal trade within our communities, and to bring offenders to justice,” Gunney stated.
The crackdown follows the creation of a £30 million High Street organised crime unit in May, after a BBC News investigation exposed illegal mini-marts, vape shops, and barbers as hubs for illicit activity. As of June, the UK had recorded 11,638 arrivals via small boats this year, a 37% decrease compared to the same period in 2025.
Civil penalties for business owners and those associated with employing migrants through illegal work are also under consideration, Gunney noted. Ongoing monitoring of migration statistics—including net migration, visa issuance, asylum cases, and small boat arrivals—is essential for assessing the effectiveness of these enforcement actions.
