Police arrest 18 in Wiltshire immigration crime operation

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 12:11 · Archive

Eighteen people were arrested during a two-week police operation targeting organised immigration crime in Wiltshire between September 21 and October 5. Officers and partner agencies visited 33 businesses including car washes, restaurants, vape shops, convenience stores and nail salons across the county.

During the operation, officers seized £46,605 in cash, 1kg of cannabis, 75g of cocaine and 10,000 cigarettes. Officers engaged with 262 people and submitted 62 intelligence reports. Wiltshire Police worked alongside the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, Immigration Enforcement, Trading Standards and HM Revenue and Customs. The operation also targeted Wiltshire's road network, including the M4 and A419, using new motion detection equipment designed to identify vehicles unlawfully transporting people.

Detective Chief Inspector Megan Elkins said the operation was 'successful' and used 'coordinated, multi-agency activity targeting those involved in organised immigration crime'. She stated: 'Organised immigration crime is often hidden in plain sight' and encouraged the public to report concerns about local businesses or individuals' welfare.

Wiltshire Police said the operation aimed to disrupt organised immigration crime, identify offenders and protect vulnerable people from exploitation. The force noted that such criminal networks are frequently linked to other serious offences including drug dealing, trafficking, money laundering and fraud.

How it is being reported

• More than a dozen arrested as police raid 33 Wiltshire businessesEighteen people were arrested and more than £46,000 in cash seized during a major crackdown on organised immigration crime across Wiltshire.Swindon Advertiser · 29 Oct, 11:48
• More than a dozen arrested as police raid 33 Wiltshire businessesEighteen people were arrested and more than £46,000 in cash seized during a major crackdown on organised immigration crime across Wiltshire.Wiltshire Times · 29 Oct, 11:48
• More than a dozen arrested as police raid 33 Wiltshire businessesEighteen people were arrested and more than £46,000 in cash seized during a major crackdown on organised immigration crime across Wiltshire.Gazette & Herald · 29 Oct, 11:48
• Police arrest 18 and seize drugs and cash in Wiltshire immigration crime crackdownEighteen people have been arrested during a Wiltshire operation targeting organised immigration crime, with officers visiting 33 businesses.Salisbury Journal · 29 Oct, 10:25

In this story: Wiltshire · Wiltshire Police · Megan Elkins · Immigration Enforcement

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log