Local News · Swindon
Police swarm five Swindon shops in major money laundering crackdown
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Wiltshire Police, alongside Trading Standards and Immigration Enforcement, conducted raids across five Swindon town centre premises on Friday as part of an ongoing operation.
A coordinated multi-agency operation saw scores of police officers swarm five shops in Swindon town centre on Friday morning, as part of a significant crackdown on organised criminal gangs using local high street premises for money laundering.
The operation, known as Operation Machinize, involved officers from Wiltshire Police supported by Trading Standards and Immigration Enforcement. One of the sites targeted was Krakow Polski Sklep on Fleet Street, where more than 10 officers, assisted by a specialist detection dog, carried out a warrant. The dog, a Belgian Malinois named Rio, is trained specifically to sniff out illicit tobacco.
Detective Inspector Steve Edwards, head of the economic crime unit at Wiltshire Police, emphasised that the raids were the result of long-term planning and inter-agency cooperation. He stated that organised criminal gangs frequently exploit high street businesses to launder proceeds of crime, attempting to make illicit profits appear legitimate while generating further revenue from the premises.
While officers confirmed that searches were conducted at four other shops across the town centre on the same day, no illegal items were uncovered during the search of the Fleet Street premises. The shop, Krakow Polski Sklep, had previously been subject to a temporary closure order in September 2025 following reports regarding the consistent sale of illegal tobacco and non-duty alcohol.
Wiltshire Police have stressed that community intelligence is vital to the success of such operations. Detective Inspector Edwards encouraged members of the public to come forward if they notice suspicious activity, unexplained wealth, or any business premises that appear out of the ordinary.
The police have reiterated that residents who may feel uncomfortable reporting information directly to the authorities can instead contact Crimestoppers to provide details anonymously. Operation Machinize is set to continue as part of a sustained effort by the National Crime Agency and local partners to disrupt criminal activities within the retail sector.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Lifestyle · View original