Nine immigration arrests in Fraserburgh and other Scottish ports

Nine individuals have been arrested following a week-long operation by Immigration Enforcement, targeting fishing vessels across Scottish ports.

Conducted between 26th and 30th July, the operation deployed Immigration Enforcement’s Threat Response and Volume Crime Unit to ports such as Barra, Oban, Fraserburgh, and Mallaig, acting on intelligence related to a suspected rogue fishing fleet operator.

Multilateral Efforts and Cooperation

In collaboration with the Border Security Command, officers boarded 34 fishing vessels addressing reports of modern slavery, labour exploitation, illegal working, and criminal activities within the UK commercial fishing industry.

The operation was supported by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Police Scotland, and the Exploitation and Modern Slavery Team.

Among those arrested were five Sri Lankan nationals and four Philippine nationals, with the latter returning voluntarily to their home country.

Legal Implications and Penalties

Civil penalty referral notices were issued and companies employing illegal workers without relevant pre-employment checks could face fines up to £60,000 per worker.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Anna Turley, stated:

“This government is tackling illegal working and ensuring unscrupulous employers are not exploiting vulnerable individuals and undercutting legitimate business. Illegal working visits and arrests have reached record levels in 2025 in Scotland, having more than doubled across the UK since the election."

Enforcement Success and Future Plans

Adam San, Assistant Director of Immigration Enforcement’s Threat Response & Volume Crime Unit, said:

“I want to thank the team of officers who dealt with this operation with professionalism and sensitivity. Immigration Enforcement deals with threats across the UK, not limited to illegal activity occurring solely on land. These arrests demonstrate our ability to tackle all illegal working, in whatever form it takes.”

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