Several barbershops in Dorset were among nearly 30 across the region visited by police and other law enforcement officers as part of a three-week national crackdown on high street crime.
Officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) coordinated multi-agency visits to 16 premises.
In Bournemouth, an employee was found to be working illegally at one premises and vapes were being sold illegally at another.
Sites were also visited in Poole and other locations.
The operation was closely supported by HMRC, as well as key partners including local Trading Standards teams, Home Office Immigration Enforcement, Environmental Health and the region’s fire services.
The South West activity was part of Operation Machinize.
The national NCA-coordinated crackdown saw 265 premises visited, £1m frozen in bank accounts, 85 warrants, 35 arrests, and 97 people safeguarded in relation to potential modern slavery.
Detective Sergeant Adrian Bray, from the SWROCU, said: “Barbershops and other cash-intensive businesses like vape shops, nail bars, American-themed sweet shops and car washes are often used by criminals to launder the proceeds of their crimes.
“Their aim is to mix legitimate funds and criminal profits to hinder investigations into their criminality.
“We know they are also adept at exploiting vulnerable people to work in their businesses.
“Operations like this, conducted with our partners so we can make use of all our combined powers, hopefully send a very clear message that our high streets are not a place for them to hide in plain sight.”