A BOLTON nail bar was searched and a Bolton woman arrested as part of major investigation into illegal immigration, money laundering and potential human trafficking offences.

Diamond Nails in Blackburn Road, Bolton, was combed by police following the arrest of a 35-year-old woman from Bolton.

She was taken into custody along with five other people after raids by police in Blackburn, Darwen and Bolton in the early hours of this morning.

The operation was part of an investigation into nail bars allegedly employing illegal immigrants, money laundering and potential human trafficking offences.

The Bolton News:

Police searching Posh Nails, Higher Church Street, Blackburn

Police swooped on houses in Blackburn, Darwen and Bolton and also searched nail bars across East Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

Two women, 29 and 34, and a 48-year-old man — all from Darwen — and the woman from Bolton were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to assist unlawful immigration, fraud and conspiring to produce cannabis.

A 41-year-old woman and a 57-year-old man, both from Blackburn, were arrested on suspicion of money laundering. 

Following those arrests officers searched four nail bars as part of their investigation.

They were Posh Nails, one in The Mall and one on in Higher Church Street, both Blackburn; Miss Nails, which is located in Blackburn Morrisons; and Diamond Nails in Bolton.

The Bolton News:

Police arrest a woman in Darwen

It is understood it is the first time arrests have been made into potential exploitation at nail bars in East Lancashire.

Detectives are looking at whether up to 20 Vietnamese nationals have been illegally trafficked into the UK.

The two-month investigation was launched on the back of text messages linked to human trafficking found when a man was arrested at a cannabis farm in Nelson. He was eventually jailed for being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

The Bolton News:

Police arrest a man in Darwen

That led police to investigate nail bars in East Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

In October police uncovered cannabis farms in Turton, Barrow in the Ribble Valley, Tottington and Walsall with up to 1,000 cannabis plants seized. The Bolton News understands those discoveries form part of this investigation.

Police are still to keen speak to three other people as part of their investigation.

The Bolton News:

Police arrest a woman in Bolton

Two other people have been charged with conspiracy to produce cannabis. They are Oa Dong Ho, 24, of Sunnymere Drive, Darwen, and Thuy Nguyen, 54, of Harwood Street, Darwen. Oa Dong Ho has been remanded in custody and Nguyen has been released on bail.

Det Sgt Stu Peall, of the East Exploitation Team, said: "This is a complex investigation into issues which will clearly be of a concern to the public. Lancashire Constabulary takes all forms of criminality seriously and will always strive to protect the most vulnerable in society.

"I am pleased we have managed to locate and arrest the six individuals we have today and we are going to continue to seek out others we want to speak to as part of this investigation.

The Bolton News:

Police search Diamond Nails in Bolton

"We welcome community intelligence and would ask that if you are aware of any suspicious activity in your area that you please get in touch.”

Anyone with information or concerns should call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.