Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
A series of dawn raids has resulted in the arrest of three men following a BBC News investigation into organised crime gangs operating within High Street businesses. Two of the suspects, Iranian nationals aged 32 and 28, were detained after immigration officers searched several locations across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands area. The third individual arrested is a 43-year-old naturalised British citizen, according to the Home Office. All three are currently held on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry into the UK and enabling unlawful work activities.
Earlier this month, the BBC uncovered links between over 100 small businesses, including mini-marts, car washes, and barber shops stretching from Dundee down to south Devon, and a broader crime network. The Home Office responded swiftly by launching an urgent investigation, bringing together agencies such as HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the National Crime Agency, Companies House, police forces, and Trading Standards. Andy Radcliffe, Assistant Director at Immigration Enforcement, who is heading the inquiry, described the response as rapid, with investigative teams developing an intelligence picture within weeks of the BBC report’s publication.
Speaking about the investigation, Mr Radcliffe emphasized its ongoing nature, stating it marks only the beginning of efforts to confront widespread abuse. “We’re taking this very seriously… people could go to prison for this, we could take assets off them, so we’re taking it very seriously,” he said. The BBC’s findings revealed organised criminal groups profiting from undocumented work in various sectors, including mini-marts, car washes, and barber shops. Particularly concerning was the connection to a suspected Kurdish crime syndicate that facilitates illegal jobs and the sale of counterfeit cigarettes in High Street outlets.
Government officials have acknowledged that regulatory weaknesses in the UK labour market are a draw for illegal entry. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood noted that such criminal networks encourage people to enter the country unlawfully. When questioned about whether Kurdish organised crime gangs have gained dominance over certain High Streets, Mahmood affirmed the BBC’s evidence highlighted the failings of the current system and reinforced the government’s commitment to cracking down on illegal working. Recent Budget measures include funding for 45 new Trading Standards officers, and the government plans additional enforcement focused on illicit tobacco and vaping products, backed by 350 new criminal investigators within the fraud investigation unit. Minister for Migration and Citizenship Mike Tapp praised the BBC’s investigative work and reiterated the government’s dedication to tackling those undermining legitimate businesses through illegal practices
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.