Drug ‘front’ firms feel the force

SAFEGUARDING local businesses is a top priority for Oldham council and police, who launched a major crackdown on organised crime yesterday.

Five men were arrested following raids at three addresses in Werneth — two in Worcester Street and one in Cambridge Street — and remain in police custody for questioning. Two men aged 20 and 22 were arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A and B drugs.

A 27-year-old man and 58-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of money laundering and fraud. And a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of money laundering, fraud and possession if a Class B drug.

Thousands of pounds in cash, a quantity of drugs, a silver Five Series BMW and a Toyota Hiace were also seized. An adapted canister was discovered in the car which a sniffer dog found contained a bag of cannabis.

Now Councillor Jean Stretton says the interests of legitimate businesses must be protected against those simply being used as a front for illegal activity. She spoke out, along with Chief Supt Tim Forber, after the launch of the intelligence-led operation which aims to make life tough for criminals using businesses to cover drug dealing and fraud.

Councillor Stretton said: “Quite often the actual profits from such businesses are irrelevant to them, but they are still in competition with other legitimate businesses who are trying to make an honest success.”

Chief Supt Tim Forber said it was not enough simply to use police enforcement powers alone to clamp down on such criminals. Lines of work traditionally seen as high cash-taking businesses are being targeted as part of the mission.

Police say nationally a wide range of businesses including hand car washes, tanning salons, nail bars, children’s nurseries and takeaways are being used as a way of aiding criminals to spend drug money.

The public is now being asked to keep a look-out for suspicious behaviour such as takeaways that don’t seem to be producing waste or have no food in the fridge.

The new initiative will see departments such as Trading Standards and Environmental Health target businesses not meeting regulations. Mr Forber said: “The message is that such criminals are not welcome in Oldham.”