Turkish barber shops across the UK have recently come under investigation due to growing concerns that they may be used as fronts for money laundering, tax fraud, and illegal migrant labor.
The National Crime Agency (NCA), often compared to Britain’s FBI, has stepped in to lead an investigation, conducting numerous raids across the country in the past month.
These actions have resulted in the seizure of tens of thousands of pounds.
The Role of the National Crime Agency in Investigating Barber Shops
The NCA, working in collaboration with local police, immigration enforcement, and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) inspectors, has been carrying out these raids in various towns and cities across Britain.
Authorities suspect that some barber shops are being used by criminal gangs for illicit activities, such as laundering money from drug trafficking or employing illegal migrants.
In several cases, tax inspectors have been monitoring the number of chairs in use at these barber shops to ensure that the reported profits align with the actual customer flow.
Suspicious Surge in Barber Shops Across the UK
According to retail analytics company Green Street, more than 750 new barber shops opened in the UK last year, with the total number increasing by 15% since 2018.
This surge in Turkish barber shops has raised suspicions of organized criminal activity, as many of these establishments are run by individuals linked to people smuggling or drug trafficking.
Albanian and Kurdish Connections to Criminal Enterprises
A significant portion of the Turkish barber shops in the UK is operated by Albanians or Kurds, many of whom have ties to criminal networks involved in smuggling and drug trade.
Traditional Turkish barbers are known for offering stylish haircuts, often accompanied by a hot towel and cut-throat razor, but now, many of these businesses are under scrutiny by the NCA.
Some of the investigations include raids as well as visits to gather more information about the operations of these shops.
Money Laundering and People Smuggling: The Dark Side of the Barber Business
The link between barber shops and criminal activity became more evident following the arrest of a key figure in a large people-smuggling ring in 2022.
Hewa Rahimpur, an Iranian Kurd and former barber, was arrested for trafficking thousands of migrants across the English Channel.
Rahimpur’s gang had profited significantly from these illegal operations, and as a result, Rahimpur entered the barbering business in North London as a way to launder the illicit funds.
Rahimpur is now serving an 11-year sentence for his involvement in human trafficking.
High-Profile Smuggling Cases Involving Barber Shops
In another high-profile case, Albanian national Gul Wali Jabarkhel was accused of using his barber shop in North London as a base for smuggling migrants into the UK.
Jabarkhel was found to be recruiting lorry drivers to transport migrants, but his operation was exposed when police intercepted his associates attempting to launder money.
Jabarkhel eventually fled to Kabul, Afghanistan, but was later caught and convicted for his role in the smuggling operation.
Terrorism and Barber Shops: A Growing Concern
Barber shops have even been connected to terrorism, as in the case of Tarek Namouz, who ran a barbershop in West London.
Namouz was sentenced to 12 years in prison for funding terrorist activities by sending money to Syria to purchase weapons and explosives.
Namouz was connected to ISIS and had boasted about financing attacks against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces.
Concerns About the Reputation of Honest Barbers
Despite the criminal associations, many honest barbers feel the negative attention on Turkish-style shops is unfair.
Reeza Jafari, a barber who owns Pasha in Kent, has expressed frustration over the growing suspicion surrounding his profession.
He noted that while some shops are indeed used for illegal activities, most barbers just want to run a legitimate business.
Unfortunately, the actions of a few bad actors are tarnishing the reputation of the entire industry.
Experts Weigh In on the Growing Presence of Barber Shops
Ali Hassan Ali, a former Metropolitan Police officer, has pointed out that the recent boom in barber shops across high streets in the UK, particularly those run by people of Albanian, Turkish, or Kurdish descent, raises strong concerns of organized crime involvement.
He noted that while many shops are legitimate, there is significant evidence suggesting that some of these businesses are used for money laundering or drug trafficking.
The Ongoing Investigation and the Future of Barber Shops
As the investigation into the link between barber shops and criminal activity continues, authorities remain committed to identifying and addressing any illegal practices.
While many barber shops are undoubtedly legitimate, the increased scrutiny highlights the need for greater regulation and oversight in this rapidly growing industry.