Cigarettes and tobacco seized as part of Operation Machinize raids in Lowestoft - a NCA-coordinated project to tackle money laundering and criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses. Security Minister Dan Jarvis watched some of the raids. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Sophisticated hidden chambers stashing illicit goods were discovered during a multi-agency operation targeting criminal activity on the high street.

A hide is uncovered as part of Operation Machinize in Lowestoft - a NCA-coordinated project to tackle money laundering and criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses. Security Minister Dan Jarvis watched some of the raids. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Convenience stores, vape shops, nail salons and a massage parlour were all visited this week during a special multi-agency operation in Lowestoft, with a store in Beccles also raided.

Operation Machinize NCA-coordinated project to tackle money laundering and criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses. Security Minister Dan Jarvis watched some of the raids. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Three exposed 'hides' - including one behind a radiator – were uncovered as part of Operation Machinize, a UK-wide crackdown on high street crime led by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Operation Machinize NCA-coordinated project to tackle money laundering and criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses. Security Minister Dan Jarvis watched some of the raids. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Tuesday's day of action involved officers from Suffolk Police, Immigration Enforcement, Suffolk Trading Standards and the NCA as cash-intensive businesses suspected of links to criminal activity were targeted.

Operation Machinize NCA-coordinated project to tackle money laundering and........

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