Fisherman pleads guilty to skippering yacht carrying 17 migrants to Dorset coast
58-year-old Eno Gajda was caught after a yacht was intercepted off the coast of Dorset in August
An Albanian fisherman who skippered a yacht from France to the UK with 17 migrants on board has been convicted.
58-year-old Eno Gajda was investigated by the National Crime Agency (NCA) after his arrest by Border Security Command (BSC) officers off the coast of Dorset on 27th August.
He was charged with facilitating illegal immigration and pleaded guilty at Bournemouth Crown Court today (26 October).
Gajda is due to be sentenced at the same court on 18th November.
The court heard Gajda had sailed the 40ft yacht from Dielette in France.
The vessel was tracked on a course for the coast near Portland before being intercepted by BSC officers.
A spokesperson for the National Crime Agency said BSC officers boarded the yacht and arrested Gajda before escorting the vessel to Portland Marina Harbour.
The spokesperson added that the 16 Albanian men and one male minor on board were removed by immigration authorities and NCA officers questioned Gajda.
NCA Branch Commander Andy Tickner said: “This was a brazen attempt to smuggle a group of vulnerable migrants to the UK.
“Although Gadja had some experience at sea, navigating across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes was highly dangerous and put many lives at risk.
“Targeting people smugglers like this remains a priority for the NCA, and we’re doing all we can to disrupt and dismantle the gangs involved, wherever they operate.”
Director of Maritime and Small Boats at Border Security Command, Charlie Eastaugh, said: “This conviction is a testament to the outstanding work of Border Security Command officers and National Crime Agency investigators.
“People smugglers care about profit, not the lives they put at risk. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to bring them to justice."