Yacht carrying seven migrants intercepted as five held on smuggling claims | UK | News
Five people have been arrested after a yacht carrying seven suspected illegal immigrants was stopped off the south coast of England. Border Security Command Maritime and National Crime Agency (NCA) officers greeted the ship as it arrived at Chichester Marina in West Sussex.
Two crew members, a 42-year-old British national and a 25-year-old Albanian national, were arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration to the United Kingdom. Investigators also located three other men who they believed were waiting to meet the yacht when it arrived. The trio, consisting of a 38-year-old British citizen and two Albanian men aged 24 and 32, were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking offences. All five were questioned by NCA investigators following their arrest.
Three people have been released on bail pending further investigations, while two Albanian nationals, aged 25 and 32, remain in custody for immigration offences.
Immigration authorities will now deal with the seven people on the yacht on the evening of May 25, all of whom are Albanian citizens.
NCA Branch Commander Saju Sasikumar said organized immigration crime remains the main focus of investigators.
He said: “Tackling organized migration crime remains a top priority for the NCA.
“Working with our partners at Border Security Command Maritime, we are committed to doing all we can to target, disrupt and dismantle gangs involved in human trafficking.
“Our investigation into this incident continues.”
The NCA said there are currently more than 100 live investigations into individuals and networks suspected of being involved in organized immigration crime.
Border Security and Asylum Minister Alex Norris said the Government would continue to pursue those involved in people smuggling operations.
He said: “Make no mistake – we will use all the powers at our disposal to take action against those who seek to smuggle people into the UK.
“Thanks to the joint work of Home Office teams and the NCA, this yacht was quickly stopped and the people involved were arrested.
“Smuggling gangs must not be under the illusion that whatever method they use, we will root them out and make them face the full force of the law.”
The arrests come as authorities continue their efforts to dismantle criminal gangs using a variety of methods, including small boats, lorries and private vessels, to bring migrants to the UK.
