Five arrested after migrant yacht intercepted at West Sussex marina
Border Force and National Crime Agency officers stopped a yacht carrying Albanian nationals into Chichester Marina
Five men have been taken into custody after authorities intercepted a yacht suspected of transporting migrants illegally into the UK via the south coast of England.
The yacht, carrying seven people, was stopped at Chichester Marina in West Sussex on the evening of 25 May during a joint operation involving Border Force officers and the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Investigators arrested two men believed to have been operating the yacht, a 42-year-old British man and a 25-year-old Albanian national, on suspicion of assisting unlawful entry into the country.
Officers also detained three additional suspects who were allegedly waiting onshore to meet the boat after it arrived.
The group included a 38-year-old British national and two Albanian men aged 24 and 32. Authorities believe they may have been involved in a coordinated people smuggling effort.
All five suspects were interviewed by NCA investigators following the operation.
Three of the men have since been released on bail while inquiries continue. The two Albanian nationals aged 25 and 32 remain in custody over immigration-related matters.
The seven passengers discovered aboard the yacht, all understood to be Albanian nationals, have been handed over to immigration officials for further processing.
NCA Branch Commander Saju Sasikumar said:
“Tackling organised immigration crime remains a top priority for the NCA.
“Working with our partners in Border Force we are determined to do all we can to target, disrupt and dismantle the gangs involved in people smuggling.
“Our investigation into this incident continues.”
The NCA currently has more than 100 investigations ongoing into networks or individuals suspected of being involved in organised immigration crime.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris said:
“Make no mistake – we will use all powers at our disposal to take action against those seeking to smuggle people into the UK.
“Thanks to the joint work from Home Office teams and the NCA, this yacht was swiftly intercepted and those involved were arrested.
“Smuggling gangs should be under no illusion that no matter the method they use, we will root them out and ensure they face the full force of the law.”