A man has been arrested and a weapon seized during a police operation targeting immigration offences at businesses in Crewe.

On Wednesday 11 November 11, Cheshire Police visited four commercial premises around the Edleston Road and Chester Bridge areas, as part of Operation Machinize.

The operation focuses on cash-rich businesses, with particular attention to money laundering, illicit sales and immigration offences.

Crewe Police's Problem Solving Team, Foreign National Offender Team and local Beat teams worked alongside partners from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Immigration Enforcement.

The premises visited included vape shops, barber shops and a nail bar.

One man was arrested on suspicion of immigration offences following the operation.

A weapon was also discovered at one of the premises and seized by officers.

Police additionally seized a quantity of illicit cigarettes, while fines exceeding £45,000 were issued to shops for offences including immigration and HMRC offences.

A Cheshire Police spokesperson told Nub News: "On Wednesday 11 November, officers from Crewe LPU visited a number of premises in the town as part of Operation Machinize, which is an operation targeting cash rich businesses, focusing on money laundering, illicit sales and immigration offences.

"The Crewe Problem Solving Team, The Foreign National Offender Team and local Beat teams from Cheshire Police worked with partners from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Immigration Enforcement.

"The team visited four premises in the town, including vape shops, barber shop and a nail bar.

"As a result of the operation, one man was arrested on suspicion of immigration offence, and a weapon was located at a premises and was seized.

"In addition, a quantity of illicit cigarettes was seized and fines were issued to shops in excess of £45,000 for offences including immigration offences and HMRC offences.

"We will continue to work with partners to target these types of commercial premises, to tackle organised crime, modern slavery, and immigration offence."

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