GMP seizes over £1 million in criminal assets in operation tackling organised criminality behind cash rich businesses

Throughout October 2025 Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers, alongside partner agencies, conducted visits to cash rich businesses on local high streets across Greater Manchester as part of a national intensification led by the National Crime Agency (NCA) called Operation Machinize. 

The operation is designed to tackle criminality including money laundering, exploitation, organised immigration crime, modern slavery, drugs, the sale of illicit tobacco products and counterfeit goods. Vulnerable people are often exploited through these types of criminality, and the proceeds of crime are often used to fund further criminal activities, which negatively impacts our communities. 

Op Machinize was first introduced in March this year with October being the second part of the ongoing operation. Throughout the month, GMP Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) have been out visiting cash rich high street businesses across the city in dedicated days of action. 

On Thursday 23 October, officers from our Bolton district paid visits to several minimarts and convenience shops with partner agencies, such as Trading Standards and detection dogs, where an estimated £17,000 worth of illegal tobacco products and counterfeit goods were seized.   

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