Officers have seized a large quantity of illicit cigarettes, tobacco and illegal vapes from premises across the county and 18 people have been arrested after a month-long operation. 

These results follow Sussex Police’s involvement in Operation Machinize; a National Crime Agency (NCA)-coordinated operation to tackle illegal goods, money laundering and exploitation linked to cash-intensive businesses.  

Throughout October, Sussex Police partnered with agencies such as Trading Standards and the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement to conduct targeted activities across the county.  

Multi-agency warrants and discovery visits took place at 76 different premises and addresses throughout Sussex. 

Across West Sussex, officers conduct multiple warrants with Trading Standards and Immigration Enforcement at 35 retail premises including car washes, barber shops and convenience stores.  

An additional 18 residential addresses were also attended under police PACE powers.  

As a result of these warrants, over £30,000 in cash was seized, as well as tens of thousands of cigarettes and multiple kilos of tobacco, and 17 people were arrested. 

Test purchasing was completed at a number of premises who sold products with age restrictions and several premises failed these tests. Follow ups with the retailers will be undertaken by Trading Standards.   

Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Leadbeatter said: “Targeting money laundering and illicit goods in cash-intensive businesses allows officers to build a wider scope of intelligence for a variety of other offences and offenders that can be linked to these types of premises including organised crime groups. 

“Working in partnership with other agencies supports and strengthens this intelligence, and ensures that those engaging in both criminal and civil activity are held accountable and brought to justice.” 

The aim of Operation Machinize however, was not only to crack down on illegal goods and money laundering, but to increase safeguarding intelligence to protect vulnerable members in communities against potential exploitation.  

Officers in Brighton and Hove conducted a number of discovery visits at multiple cash-intensive businesses across the area to build intelligence in relation to safeguarding of workers.  

In East Sussex, officers also conducted safeguarding and discovery visits with officers from the Immigration Compliance Enforcement team, Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Home Office Immigration Financial Investigators.  

The multi-agency visits took place at 19 premises including nail bars, car washes and barber shops.  

Additional agencies who attended various visits included the NCA, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), Home Office Immigration Financial Investigators and Wealden District Council.  

The visits were conducted on a consent-only basis, supported by the businesses.  

As a result of these visits, a 37-year-old man was arrested by Sussex Police officers on suspicion of employing a person with cause to believe they were disqualified from employment by reason of immigration status. He has been bailed while investigations are ongoing.  

Working in close partnership with the East Sussex Discovery team, partner agencies discovered several instances of fraudulent business practices which will be investigated jointly. 

Detective Chief Inspector Antony Leadbeatter continued: “Sussex Police proactively tackles money laundering and works to keep vulnerable people in our communities safe from exploitation every day.  

“Operations such as Machinize however, are opportunities to intensify our focus on these areas cracking down on criminality and building our intelligence to support future work. 

“I am pleased to see the good work and positive results achieved through this operation.  

“Sussex Police will continue to relentlessly pursue criminals, protect vulnerable people and ensure safety in our communities.”