Alleged member of small boat people smuggling network arrested in Essex
Six people wanted in Belgium over their suspected involvement in a major people smuggling ring have been arrested in the UK.
One, aged 22, was arrested at an address in Braintree, Essex.
The six arrested are accused by the Belgian authorities of people smuggling offences and being members of a criminal organisation.
Three appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday (12 February), where extradition proceedings began, with the other three due to appear at the same court today (13 February).
National Crime Agency officers arrested the other men at addresses in Leicester, Birmingham, and south London after warrants were issued for their arrest by the Belgian courts.
Belgian prosecutors say the men arrested were allegedly involved in organising the transport of migrants from Afghanistan through Iran, Turkey and the Balkans (via the Serbian / Hungarian border) into western Europe, mainly France and Belgium.
The organised crime group has been running since 2022 and allegedly used social media platforms to communicate with migrants.
Those migrants who had their asylum claims rejected in Belgium would then be moved on to the UK using small boats.
The gang is suspected of transporting significant numbers in this way.
NCA Deputy Director Craig Turner said: "These men were allegedly part of a dangerous and harmful criminal network which moved migrants across the world, through Europe and eventually into northern Europe and the UK.
"The threat posed by organised immigration crime is chronic and enduring, and we currently have 70 live investigations into the gangs involved in it."
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: " This government is clear that we will not hesitate to go after those who seek to undermine our border security and we will continue to work even closer with international partners to put a stop to their criminal activity – saving lives while delivering on the Plan for Change."