Three arrested as part of investigation into small boats 'agent'

Two men and a woman have been arrested as part of an investigation into a group allegedly smuggling people into the UK on small boats.

A 53 year-old man from Birmingham, who the National Crime Agency say is 'suspected of acting as an ‘agent’ for those who wish to transport people illegally to the UK from the continent', was detained.

They say he is alleged to 'have had contact with people smuggling gangs on the continent to arrange for spaces on boats, and arranging for payments to be made.'

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He was arrested in Sutton Coldfield in the Midlands along with his 42-year-old female partner the agency said. A 39-year-old man was separately detained at an address in Hounslow, west London.

All three are currently in custody and will be questioned by NCA investigators on suspicion of conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration. A number of mobile phones and cash were seized and are being examined,

NCA Branch Commander Mick Pope said: “Whether they use small boats or HGVs, people smugglers pose a threat not just to UK border security but also to those they transport. This is why disrupting and dismantling the networks involved is a priority for us.

“This investigation is one of more than 90 currently being undertaken by the NCA against the threat posed by organised immigration crime, and it will continue following today’s arrests.”

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