The UK National Crime Agency launched a third nationwide crackdown on high street criminals under Operation Machinize, with forces across the country seizing £2.2m in cash. During a month of action in October 2026, police and partners visited or raided 3,029 premises and made 349 arrests targeting money laundering and cash-intensive businesses. The NCA estimates at least £1 billion of criminal cash is laundered through cash-heavy shops every year, including vape shops and barber shops. In addition to the cash seizure, £3.7m in account freezing orders were obtained. Investigators also identified or prevented £4.2m in duty tax evasion. Operations recovered £6.8m of criminal commodities, including £2.6m worth of illegal drugs, 49,295 illegal vapes, 1,645kg of illegal tobacco and 6.3m illegal cigarettes. Machinize has been run in iterations, starting with barbers and similar businesses used as fronts for money laundering, then expanding to grey economy activity, and moving further up the criminal business model by targeting those who profit from degrading high streets. The operation is now described as running 365 days a year. Enforcement involved every police force in the UK plus Regional Organised Crime Units, Home Office Immigration Enforcement, Trading Standards, HM Revenue and Customs, the Food Standards Agency, Companies House and the Insolvency Service. A dedicated coordination cell shared intelligence and supported forces, drawing on public and private data sharing and input from financial institution partners. Latest figures in the campaign say more than 6,000 high street businesses have been raided since it began. Arrests have been made, but the article does not set out any court outcomes or charges.