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UK Police Arrest 362 in Five-Day Operation Targeting Illegal Trade and Immigration Crime
A coordinated effort by police and immigration agencies resulted in hundreds of arrests and seizures of cash and contraband. The operation ran from June 15 to June 20 and targeted businesses often used to conceal illegal activity.
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UK police arrested 362 people, including 57 migrants who had crossed the Channel by boat, during a five-day operation targeting illegal trade and organized immigration crime, BBC News reported. The National Police Chiefs' Council said the effort, which ran from June 15 to June 20, produced seizures of more than £1 million in cash along with illegal tobacco, vapes and cigarettes valued at more than £700,000.
Cars, drugs and e-bikes were also taken.
Officers focused on barber shops, vape shops, car washes, food production sites and nail salons, premises the council said criminal gangs use to hide illegal working, exploit migrants and launder money. Most UK police forces took part alongside the Home Office, Immigration Enforcement and Trading Standards.
As of June 26, 11,638 people had arrived in the UK via small boats this year, a total 37 percent lower than the same period in 2025.
Minister for border security and asylum Alex Norris called the operation an example of targeted collaboration. DCC Wendy Gunney, the organised immigration crime domestic taskforce lead, said the activity sent a clear message that law enforcement agencies were working together to tackle illegal trade.
Civil penalties for business owners connected to illegal working were also under consideration, she added.
