Dodgy' shops handling criminal cash targeted by new specialist unit

"Dodgy retail outlets such as vape stores, barbers, mini-marts and sweet shops suspected of being used to launder 1bn of criminal money will be targeted by a new specialist unit, the government has said. A 20m National Crime Agency cell will run and coordinate investigations and raids into UK businesses suspected of acting as fronts for gangsters, the Home Office said. The NCA and police forces in Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, Kent and Essex will recruit 75 officers to boost the effort."

"Trading standards departments will receive an extra 6m to bolster the response to sham businesses in at-risk local authorities, according to the latest announcement. New training will help officers identify suspicious businesses, strengthen compliance and boost enforcement. The cash will come from a 30m pot put aside by the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, in last November's budget."

"There is growing concern that many such businesses act as fronts for money laundering, tax fraud and illegal work. The NCA estimates at least 12bn of criminal cash is generated in the UK each year, with 1bn laundered through high street businesses such as mini-marts, barber shops, vape stores and sweet shops. Some businesses are also connected to the sale of fake goods, tax evasion, illegal working and illegal drug supply."

"As many as half of convenience stores and vape retailers in some areas are estimated to have links with organised crime, according to trading standards, while up to a third of American candy stores and one in four takeaways in"

A new specialist unit will target retail outlets such as vape stores, barbers, mini-marts, and sweet shops suspected of laundering criminal money. A £20m National Crime Agency cell will coordinate investigations and raids into UK businesses acting as fronts for gangsters. The NCA and police forces in Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, Kent, and Essex will recruit 75 officers to expand enforcement. Trading standards departments will receive an additional £6m in at-risk local authorities to strengthen responses to sham businesses. New training will help officers identify suspicious businesses, improve compliance, and increase enforcement. Funding will come from a £30m pot set aside in the previous budget. Estimates indicate large volumes of criminal cash generated annually and significant laundering through high street businesses, alongside links to fake goods, tax evasion, illegal work, and drug supply.

Read at www.theguardian.com