AN immigration enforcement swoop on premises in Newton Abbot on Tuesday afternoon was part of a police operation targeting money laundering and the criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses, it can be revealed.

Four uniformed officers were seen on Union Street at around 1.30pm, with at least one person detained and taken away from the scene.

The operation was carried out by Devon & Cornwall Police under Operation Machinize, an ongoing National Crime Agency (NCA)-coordinated initiative targeting money laundering and other criminal use of cash-intensive high street businesses.

It was supported by Home Office Immigration Enforcement as criminal activity may, but not always or necessarily in this case, involve immigration offences, Devon & Cornwall Police told the Mid-Devon Advertiser.

An eyewitness told the Mid-Devon Advertiser they saw four uniformed officers who “appeared out of nowhere”.

Another eyewitness described the scene as unexpected, saying: “It is not what you expect to see in our town centre on a Tuesday afternoon”.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, including whether any arrests were made or whether any offences were identified.

The Mid-Devon Advertiser has contacted the Home Office for further information and clarification.