Key Points:
- Over 2,700 shops raided in nationwide “Machinize 2” operation.
- 111,000 illegal vapes, 70kg cannabis, 4.5m cigarettes seized.
- £10.7m in illicit proceeds recovered; £2.7m in goods destroyed.
- 924 arrests and 450 companies reported for further investigation.
- London raids illustrate the operation’s broader national scale.
2Firsts, Nov. 11, 2025 — According to The Guardian, UK law enforcement agencies have launched a sweeping nationwide crackdown against illegal vape and counterfeit goods networks, as part of Operation Machinize 2 — one of the country’s largest-ever efforts to combat the “grey economy.”
Led by the Metropolitan Police in coordination with the National Crime Agency (NCA), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), local councils, and Trading Standards, the operation has targeted over 2,700 businesses across the UK. Authorities have arrested 924 suspects, seized 111,000 illegal vapes, 70 kilograms of cannabis, 4.5 million illicit cigarettes, and £10.7 million in suspected criminal proceeds.
The NCA reported that about £2.7 million worth of illicit goods have been destroyed following the raids, and more than 450 companies have been referred to Companies House for further investigation.
Rachael Herbert, director of the NCA’s National Economic Crime Centre, said:
“Depriving criminals of their source of income has a real impact, limiting the amount of funds they can reinvest in further offending and deterring them from taking spaces on our high street that could be used by legitimate businesses.”
In south London’s Lambeth district, officers raided six electrical goods stores suspected of selling counterfeit Apple products and illegal vapes. Tests showed that many items carried fire and electrocution risks, while disposable vapes were being sold to children.
Inspector Oliver Lamb of the Metropolitan Police said:
“It’s not the first time we’ve been to some of these shops — for some it’s been the third visit this year. We thought confiscating stock would send a message, but they simply restocked. Success is shutting these businesses down and making way for legitimate ones.”
Officials emphasized that Operation Machinize 2 focuses on cash-intensive, high-risk businesses believed to be involved in money laundering and other forms of organized economic crime.
Authorities said the coordinated effort marks a major escalation in the UK’s enforcement against the illegal vape trade, counterfeit goods, and the broader grey economy.
Image source: The Guardian
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