A major operation in south London has uncovered persistent illegal shops selling counterfeit vapes and electronics, highlighting ongoing challenges in tackling the UK’s grey economy and organised crime networks.
A series of coordinated raids in south London this week has exposed the persistent presence of shops selling counterfeit and illegal electrical goods, including vapes and Apple-branded products, highlighting ongoing challenges in combating the grey economy on UK high streets. The Metropolitan Police, supported by HM Revenue and Customs, Trading Standards, and the National Crime Agency (NCA), targeted six shops in Lambeth as part of Operation Machinize 2, a nationwide crackdown addressing high street crime linked to money laundering and organised crime.
Officers, some of whom had monitored the shops for months, seized substantial quantities of illicit products. Tests conducted in independent labs revealed that many items posed serious safety risks, including potential electrocution and fire hazards. Among the confiscated goods were 111,000 illegal vapes and a significant haul of counterfeit Apple devices, ranging from AirPods to chargers bearing identical serial numbers, clear indicators of forgery. Despite previous raids that saw considerable stock removed, police found that many shops simply restocked the same illegal items, underscoring the resilience of these illicit operations.
Inspector Oliver Lamb, overseeing the Lambeth operation, noted that while removal of stock had initially been expected to deter such businesses, enforcement efforts must now focus on shutting down these outlets permanently to protect public health and consumer rights. “Success is shutting these businesses down and making way for legitimate ones,” Lamb stated. He emphasised concerns about counterfeit vapes, which carry unknown inhalation risks, and the broader frustration felt by consumers duped into buying fake products with no recourse.
Operation Machinize 2 has been described as the largest operation of its kind, with raids targeting over 2,700 premises nationwide, resulting in 924 arrests and the seizure of over £10.7 million in suspected illegal proceeds. The crackdown reflects a growing recognition among law enforcement and regulatory bodies of the role that cash-intensive businesses, such as vape shops, barbershops, nail bars, and electrical goods stores, play in facilitating money laundering and organised crime.
This targeted approach is part of a nationwide pattern. Earlier this year, similar operations in regions including Avon and Somerset, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, and Essex revealed the widespread use of such businesses for illicit activities. For instance, April 2025 raids in Bristol and Cheshire uncovered counterfeit goods and identified potential modern slavery victims, while operations in Greater Manchester resulted in multiple arrests and seizures of illegal items. In Cheshire’s Congleton, police discovered banned vapes and concealed cigarettes with a retail value in the tens of thousands, and in Essex, thousands of pounds worth of illegal tobacco and vape products were confiscated.
These coordinated efforts, supported by agencies such as the Border Force and Trading Standards, aim to disrupt criminal enterprises by cutting off their revenue streams and preventing the exploitation of legitimate business premises. Rachael Herbert, director of the NCA’s national economic crime centre, highlighted the impact of depriving criminals of income, noting it limits their capacity for further offending and opens high street spaces for lawful enterprises.
The raids have elicited mixed reactions locally. While some residents express frustration or hostility towards the police presence, others remain indifferent, continuing to frequent these shops despite the ongoing investigations. Nevertheless, law enforcement officials remain resolute in their mission, pointing to the serious risks posed by counterfeit and illicit products, especially those targeting children, such as single-use vapes banned by law since June.
Operation Machinize 2 stands as a significant step in a sustained national campaign against high street crime, one that balances public safety with the promotion of legitimate trade. The destruction of an estimated £2.7 million in illicit goods and ongoing investigations into hundreds of businesses demonstrate a strategic, multi-agency commitment to reclaiming the high street from organised crime and protecting communities from harmful illegal products.
📌 Reference Map:
- [1] (The Guardian) – Paragraphs 1 to 11
- [2] (Avon and Somerset Police) – Paragraph 12
- [3] (Cheshire Police) – Paragraph 12
- [4] (Greater Manchester Police) – Paragraph 12
- [5] (Cheshire Police) – Paragraph 13
- [6] (Essex Police) – Paragraph 13
- [7] (Tameside Correspondent) – Paragraph 12
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is current, published on 11 November 2025. It reports on recent raids in south London targeting illegal vape and phone shops, aligning with ongoing efforts under Operation Machinize 2. Similar operations have been reported in April and October 2025, indicating a sustained crackdown on such establishments. ([cheshire.police.uk](https://www.cheshire.police.uk/news/cheshire/news/articles/2025/4/operation-machinize-more-than-60-premises-targeted-across-cheshire-as-part-of-nca-coordinated-crackdown/?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data, such as the seizure of 111,000 illegal vapes and £10.7 million in suspected illegal proceeds, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quote from Inspector Oliver Lamb, “Success is shutting these businesses down and making way for legitimate ones,” appears to be original, with no exact matches found in earlier material. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content. However, similar sentiments have been expressed in previous reports on Operation Machinize, indicating a consistent message from law enforcement officials. ([cheshire.police.uk](https://www.cheshire.police.uk/news/cheshire/news/articles/2025/4/operation-machinize-more-than-60-premises-targeted-across-cheshire-as-part-of-nca-coordinated-crackdown/?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Guardian, a reputable organisation known for its journalistic standards. This adds credibility to the report.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and consistent with known information about Operation Machinize 2. The report provides specific details, such as the seizure of 111,000 illegal vapes and £10.7 million in suspected illegal proceeds, which are corroborated by other reputable sources. The tone and language used are appropriate for the subject matter and region.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is current and originates from a reputable source, with plausible claims supported by specific details. While similar operations have been reported earlier in the year, the inclusion of updated data and direct quotes suggests originality and freshness. No significant issues were identified that would undermine the credibility of the report.
