Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe ST. ANNE''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''S, England, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- British police have smashed a shoplifting cartel run by three women in their 80s who swapped teenagers contraband cigarettes for stolen food. The Mirror said undercover officers spent three weeks watching the trio, who ran their operations from a Conservative party social club in the Lancashire town of St. Anne's. Advertisement The investigation was dubbed "Operation Blue Rinse" by police, who swept into the club Friday. "These grannies would draw up a shopping list -- anything from tins of soup to a carton of (mincemeat tarts) for their tea," a police source said. The suspects were let off with a warning, but the social club banned them for life. One of the club's 73-year-old members said the raid will be remembered at the club for some time. "There has never been anything like this since Enoch Powell made a speech here on immigration," said Martin Rogerson.