Operation Lockstream, an intelligence-led initiative co-ordinated by the Organised Immigration Crime Domestic Taskforce (OICDT), targeted businesses in the city and other parts of the country believed to be involved in organised immigration crime.
The week-long operation, which ran from June 15 to 20, 2026, was part of a wider effort to disrupt human trafficking, exploitation, and other forms of serious organised crime.
Detective Superintendent Stevie Betram of Police Scotland said: “It is a fact that organised crime groups exploit vulnerable people by facilitating illegal entry into the UK.
“This exposes them to dangerous journeys and unsuitable living and working conditions.
“Our priority is to protect those at risk, identify the networks and individuals involved and to ensure offenders are brought to justice.”
In Glasgow and across Scotland, 40 high street businesses—including restaurants, nail bars, car washes, barbers, and vape shops—were visited by officers from Police Scotland, Trading Standards, and HMRC.
A total of 109 people were spoken to during the operation, with 10 identified as irregular migrants.
Forty-three business compliance checks were conducted, and Trading Standards identified four premises without a licence to sell alcohol or tobacco.
Mr Betram said: “The week of activity saw law enforcement partners undertaking a period of intensive action to disrupt this type of criminality and making Scotland a hostile environment for those who exploit vulnerable people in our communities.”
The Organised Immigration Domestic Taskforce is a national policing programme bringing together law enforcement agencies across the UK to tackle organised immigration crime.
In addition to Glasgow, operations also took place in the North East, Central Scotland, and Ayshire.
