Local MP, Connor Naismith, says a UK-wide Kurdish organised crime network exploiting asylum seekers and selling illegal cigarettes and vapes has gone under the radar for "far too long" after a Crewe mini-mart was found to be involved by the BBC.

Undercover reporters posing as asylum seekers were offered the chance to buy the Top Store on Nantwich Road for £18,000 cash. 

The shopkeeper, known as Surchi, claimed he made up to £3,000 a week selling illegal tobacco and said asylum seekers could run the shop "without any paperwork."

On Wednesday 5 November, Cheshire Police took "swift action" against the premises, where it was found the store has changed hands in recent days and there was no trace of the suspects featured in the BBC's piece.

Crewe and Nantwich MP, Connor Naismith (Photo: Supplied).

Mr Naismith told Nub News: "These networks are praying on vulnerable people and have gone under the radar for far too long. In Crewe and Nantwich, their operation has been obvious.

"Over the years, Nantwich Road and the rest of our high street has become lined with vape and cigarette shops that never seemed to be impacted by austerity and the previous leadership, while one in seven high-street premises were lying vacant.

"The state of our town centre is one of the biggest concerns for my constituents, and this news speaks right to the heart of that.

"The government has already announced measures to end these practices, with new powers for local people to veto enterprises from opening in their community. Labour is also cracking down on illegal working, with arrests up 63 per cent year-on-year this September.

"However, we still need to tackle the legacy we inherited where illegal practices were left unchallenged and I have requested a meeting with the Home Secretary to discuss what more can be done to shut down these operations.

"I will also be seeking advice from government around mechanisms to tackle the networks of ghost company directors who facilitate and profit from this criminal activity.

Undercover BBC reporters posing as asylum seekers were offered the chance to buy the Top Store on Nantwich Road for £18,000 cash (Photo: BBC).

"It is clear from the BBC investigation published these crimes extend far beyond Crewe and Nantwich and the people being trafficked.

"We have to also look at the push factors which drive asylum seekers to organised crime in the first place. That means reducing the time they are left in limbo; decreasing processing times, more returns and repatriation agreements.

"Labour is making progress on asylum claims, this August, the backlog reached its lowest in four years. People with a right to be here should be allowed to build a life and contribute to society as soon as possible."

Cheshire Police say enquiries in relation to the offences broadcast in the BBC's piece remain "ongoing."

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