Three people were arrested after multi-agency raids on cash-intensive businesses in Conwy. The arrests were made on Friday October 16 during inspections of local vape shops, mini-markets, car washes, takeaways, massage parlours and barbers as part of a UK-wide push against money laundering. The raids were carried out under Operation Machinize, a campaign led by the National Crime Agency. Conwy County Borough Council said Conwy Council Trading Standards, Licensing and CCTV officers worked with North Wales Police, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Border Control. Conwy’s Trading Standards officers seized a quantity of potentially dangerous illicit tobacco that was concealed at a premises. Immigration officers made three arrests, while police, immigration and fire service teams dealt with other issues and inquiries are ongoing. North Wales Police confirmed counterfeit goods were seized at a separate property. Sgt Paul Cassidy said officers were working with the community and sharing intelligence to protect communities and investigate concerns. The latest status is that three arrests have been made and investigations remain ongoing.