Operation to target illegal business practices in Buckie

Officers in the North East, along with Home Office Immigration Enforcement and Trading Standards carried out an intelligence led operation targeting illegal business practices in Buckie.

Operation Machinize, which is UK wide, was carried out on Friday, 21 November, 2025 and is aimed at tackling economic crime, exploitation of people and the evasion of customs and excise duties. Small superstores, a vape shop and barbers were visited.

One man has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for immigration offences. Counterfeit tobacco and goods were seized during the operation and an illegal house of multiple occupancy was identified. This was reported to the relevant authorities.

Sergeant Lucy Cuthbert of the Keith and Buckie Community Policing Team said: “Multi-agency operations like these underline our commitment to tackling serious organised working together as part of Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce.

“I would encourage anyone with concerns regarding illegal business practices to report it to Police Scotland on 101 or, alternatively, anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”