Police and Trading Standards officers have seized more than £13,000 worth of illegal tobacco and vapes during a county-wide crackdown on organised crime.

Hertfordshire Constabulary and Hertfordshire County Council joined forces as part of Operation Machinize, a national initiative targeting organised criminal gangs and businesses suspected of involvement in illegal activities.

During October, officers visited 24 business premises across Borehamwood, Hemel Hempstead, Hatfield, Hoddesdon, Watford and St Albans.

The operation resulted in the seizure of more than 15 kilograms of illicit tobacco products and 524 illegal vapes, with a combined value of more than £13,000.

Dozens of officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary's Operational Support Group and Neighbourhood Policing Teams worked alongside the county council's Trading Standards team and government immigration officers.

The visits were designed to ensure businesses were operating within the law and to identify potential offences involving counterfeit goods, money laundering, drugs and immigration.

Operation Machinize is coordinated nationally by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and focuses on the use of cash-intensive high street businesses by organised criminal gangs.

Chief Inspector Stuart Bence, from Hertfordshire Constabulary's Crime and Intelligence team, said: "These operations were carried out as part of Operation Machinize, the ongoing National Crime Agency coordinated action to tackle money laundering and criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses.

"Organised criminal gangs often use businesses to launder money obtained through drug dealing and other illegal activities, exploiting vulnerable people and selling low quality, counterfeit or contraband goods.

"We have worked with our partners in Trading Standards to ensure high street businesses are not involved in criminal activities, such as selling counterfeit products, drug dealing, handling stolen goods and exploiting workers.

"This activity funds organised crime and violence, distributing harmful products and posing a risk to the young and vulnerable."

Councillor Ajanta Hilton, Executive Member for Public Health and Community Safety at Hertfordshire County Council, welcomed the operation.

She said: "Criminals often seek to hide the proceeds of crime through seemingly legitimate businesses, which is why operations like this are so important.

"By working with the National Crime Agency, the police and partner organisations, we are helping to crack down on criminal activity, remove illicit products from sale and protect local communities from harm.

"Our Trading Standards team can offer practical advice and support to any trader who needs help understanding their legal obligations."

Although the October visits did not include Hitchin, the operation forms part of wider efforts to tackle organised crime and the sale of illegal products across Hertfordshire.

Residents with information about suspected criminal activity can report it online at herts.police.uk/report⁠, use the police's online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact⁠ or call 101.