265 premises raided in UK-wide operation

SENEDD Member Gareth Davies MS has welcomed a national crackdown on high street money laundering, following a series of targeted police raids on businesses across the UK.

The police and trading standards also targeted at least one shop in Charles Street Milford Haven last month (Mar 13), the Herald understands that the authorities were looking for counterfeit or illegally imported cigarettes and tobacco. We are still awaiting an update on the outcome of that raid.

The nationwide operation, however, is called Operation Machinize. It is being led by the National Crime Agency (NCA), saw coordinated action at 265 premises including barbershops, car washes, vape shops and American sweet stores. Officers made 35 arrests, froze bank accounts holding over £1 million, and placed 97 suspected modern slavery victims under protection. The NCA estimates that up to £12 billion of criminal cash is laundered in the UK every year.

The large-scale operation follows warnings first raised by Mr Davies in the Senedd on 7 February 2024. During that debate, he highlighted an unusual concentration of cash-only barbershops and vape shops in his constituency, suggesting links to organised crime and illicit financial activity.

At the time, his comments were dismissed by Labour Senedd Members and Welsh Government ministers. Labour MS for Ogmore, Huw Irranca-Davies, said during the debate:
“[…] to brand whole swathes of our high street businesses as potential criminal money-launderers is a terrible slur on the many local businesses who are trying to create jobs and make a living and bring life to our towns.”

However, growing public concern in parts of Wales appears to support Mr Davies’ earlier claims. In Porth, South Wales, a 14th barbershop application was recently submitted in a town with a population of just 6,000 — raising fresh questions about the scale and purpose of some high street businesses.

Mr Davies has now challenged Welsh Labour to confirm whether they acknowledge the seriousness of the issue, especially given the NCA operation took place under a UK Labour Government. He is also calling on the Welsh Government to provide support and guidance to local councils dealing with suspected laundering.

Speaking following the raids, Gareth Davies said: “When I first raised my constituents’ concerns about the rise of cash-only businesses on our high streets, they were met with pearl-clutching by Labour members who dismissed them outright.

“I welcome the police crackdown, a year on from when I first sounded the alarm, and I hope that Operation Machinize will deliver meaningful results.

“I would like the Welsh Government to clarify whether they now accept this is a real and growing issue, and to set out how they plan to equip local authorities to tackle it head on.”

A MAN who allowed members of an organised crime group to set up a large-scale cannabis factory at his rural property has been jailed.

Martin Evans, 37, appeared at Swansea Crown Court where he claimed to be unaware of the extent of the illegal operation. However, the court heard that by renting out part of his home near Kidwelly, Evans had become a “facilitator” for the criminal enterprise.

During a warrant executed in February under Operation Scotney, police discovered nearly 200 cannabis plants—worth up to £264,100—being cultivated at the property.

Further investigation of Evans’s mobile phone revealed incriminating messages referencing police drones and discussions about increasing heat and humidity to accelerate plant growth, confirming his knowledge and involvement.

Evans was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Another man, Fatjon Xafa, who was actively cultivating the plants, received a 29-week prison sentence.

Detective Chief Inspector Rich Lewis said: “I am in no doubt that Evans knew exactly what was going on at his home. He clearly hoped the rurality of the location would allow the operation to go undetected, and he would have allowed it to continue had we not intervened.”

Police said the bust was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle organised drug networks operating in west Wales.

A STEYNTON woman has been sentenced after launching a foul-mouthed, xenophobic rant at her neighbour, telling her to “f*** off back to England”.

Linda McCann, 70, said she was left distressed by the language used by Lisa Thomas during the incident, which took place at around 2:00pm on August 2, 2024.

“Hearing the foul language that she used towards me – language that everyone in the street could hear – was very distressing,” Mrs McCann told Haverfordwest magistrates during Thomas’s trial.

“Lisa told me to f*** off back to England. And that’s not nice.”

The confrontation occurred after Mrs McCann and her husband returned from shopping in Iceland, Milford Haven, and began unloading frozen food into a garden shed freezer at their property on Honeyhill Grove, Lamphey.

“I came outside to find out what it was and thought my neighbour had possibly thrown a glass bottle or something at my shed,” said Mrs McCann. “But then I could see that it was shingle that had been thrown from Lisa’s landing window. Lisa then opened the window and shouted stuff out at me.”

CCTV footage captured by Mrs McCann’s motion-sensor camera was played in court, in which Thomas could be heard shouting:
“You want to stick your fingers up at my 11-year-old daughter, you stupid old c***? You stupid little nonce. F*** off back to Birmingham and f*** off back to England.”

Thomas, who has since moved to Plas Peregrine, Steynton, was found guilty of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

She was sentenced to a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £300 in prosecution costs and a £26 victim surcharge.

In addition, a two-year restraining order was imposed, prohibiting Thomas from contacting Mrs McCann, referencing her on social media, or entering the Honeyhill Grove estate in Lamphey.